William Bracken at St Mary’s with the refined pianistic elegance of the Golden Age of piano playing
It is fascinating to follow the evolution of young pianists and see what influences they follow during their long training in many of the finest music institutions of the land. William has been studying for the past years with Martin Roscoe and I was with Martin last summer to applaud William’s final graduation recital at Milton Court . I had heard William for the first time when he won the Beethoven prize at the Guildhall playing a very fine Beethoven ‘Les Adieux’ Sonata. A musical pedigree nurtured by Martin Roscoe, that superb musician who many moons ago we both played to Stephen Kovacevich at the Dartington Summer School in the era of William Glock. Martin has gone on to be not only a celebrated solo pianist but also a much sought after chamber music player. Spending much time walking in the Scottish Highlands where he lives he still finds time to help nurture talented young musicians at the Guildhall. The last time I heard William he played Messiaen with extraordinary conviction and technical mastery and I was sure this would be the path his talent would lead him. Today I heard a completely different pianist ,one completely immersed in the magic world of pianists from the Golden Era of piano playing when pianists were magicians.
