STRIVING HEAVENWARDS

MALCOLM MILLER attends the Kendall Taylor memorial concert

A recital of Beethoven's last three sonatas by Bernard Roberts formed an inspiring tribute to the memory of Kendall Taylor, CBE, FRAM (1905-1999), his interpretations of drama, and energy coupled with warmth and humanity encapsulating those musical ideals and ideas so memorably espoused by 'KT', as he was affectionately known by several generations of colleagues and students. This 'Kendall Taylor Memorial Concert', given in the Great Hall of London's Royal College of Music on 3 November 2001, was the first of two memorial concerts organised by the European Piano Teachers Association (UK) -- of which Kendall Taylor was President -- to support the launch of their new EPTA Beethoven Prize, in memory of Kendall Taylor. The second is scheduled for 13 November 2001 at Chetham's School, Manchester.

'KT' was one of the leading British pianists of his generation, as well as a noted pedagogue and scholar. He was a long standing Professor at the RCM, where he held a post for a record sixty-three years, since his appointment in 1926. He was especially renowned for his Beethoven interpretations, having published his own edition of the 32 sonatas (Allans Publishing), and in recent years he was also founding President of the Beethoven Piano Society of Europe. His students included many prominent concert pianists such as Kathryn Stott and Piers Lane and he continued to tour and give masterclasses all over the world well into his nineties. It was particularly fitting for this Memorial Concert to be given by Bernard Roberts, who not only was a colleague at the RCM, but who, as an interpreter recognized for his outstanding Beethoven performances, has also taken over KT's mantle as UK President of the BPSE.

Continue >>