In Search Of The Great Composers – Phil Grabsky

   in Piano International (Nov, 2016)
No matter how much one feels one knows these four composers, each of these four films by Phil Grabsky expands one’s appreciation and knowledge appreciably. They are all impeccably crafted, balancing narrative of the composers’ loves with comment by a raft of acknowledged experts, be they renowned performers or academics. Music is copiously present and always relevant. The lives are handled chronologically, with local colour of the cities or town in which they were resident always bringing the story to life. There are some constants in the experts consulted: Ronald Brautigam and Frans Brüggen, for example. The films each last around two hours. A rather nice touch is that for all …