Mouse II Today I'm a mouseminute enoughto patter along the pedalsinto the pianoThe smell of this feltyou must realizeis something divineassailing our nosesover a distance of milesEagerlywe set about the hammersexploiting them to build our neststhen we nibble at the dampersuntil they stop dampingWhat's the point of dampers anywayWe field mice prefer...

Musical News and Notes News from Clavier Companion! Starting with the September/October 2018 issue, Clavier Companion will feature a number of new and expanded columns—improvisational arts, the business of music, wellness and technology. You will see your favorites—Julie Jaffee Nagel, Bradley Sowash, Wendy Stevens, and Leila Viss—from time to time,...

1931- Birth of Austrian pianist Alfred Brendel in Wiesenburg, Moravia.

Finger II There was a pianist who developed a third index finger not to play the piano with though it sometimes did intervene discreetly in tricky passages but to point things out when both hands were busy Once in a while the finger shot from his nose to expose an obstinate cougher in the hall or emerged from beneath his tailcoat beckoning a lady i...

READING AND WRITING RZ: Charles Alkan, speaking of his friend Chopin, was reported to have said that Chopin was not a reading man. You are clearly a reading and writing man. Your books and articles have contributed stimulating ideas and observations for thirty-five years. Did certain books on music have special value for you, especially in your you...