John Vallier
Encyclopedia
John Vallier was an English
classical pianist
and composer
. He was the son of the famous French bass Jean Vallier and the English pianist Adela Verne
(his aunt was Mathilde Verne
).
Vallier toured extensively in the 1940s and 1950s for the WEA, playing recitals at schools and church halls throughout the UK, and doing valuable work in bringing classical music to parts of the country where live performances were rare. His amiable personality helped immeasurably in this task. As a serious artist, he was one of the last of the generation who, as an encore, would request the name of a composer and a popular tune from audience members, and improvise works in the style of the composer suggested.
, written in 1950. It was recorded by Benno Moiseiwitsch
and later by Marc-André Hamelin
(2001).
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
classical pianist
Pianist
A pianist is a musician who plays the piano. A professional pianist can perform solo pieces, play with an ensemble or orchestra, or accompany one or more singers, solo instrumentalists, or other performers.-Choice of genres:...
and composer
Composer
A composer is a person who creates music, either by musical notation or oral tradition, for interpretation and performance, or through direct manipulation of sonic material through electronic media...
. He was the son of the famous French bass Jean Vallier and the English pianist Adela Verne
Adela Verne
Adela Verne was a notable English pianist and minor composer of German descent. She was considered one of the greatest woman pianists of her era, ranked alongside the male keyboard giants of the time. She toured with great success in many parts of the world.Adela Verne was born into a musical...
(his aunt was Mathilde Verne
Mathilde Verne
Mathilde Verne was an English pianist and teacher, of German descent.She was born Mathilde Wurm, in Southampton, England, the fourth of ten children, all of whom were musically gifted. She was initially a student of Franklin Taylor. She had the opportunity to play to Clara Schumann, who took her...
).
Vallier toured extensively in the 1940s and 1950s for the WEA, playing recitals at schools and church halls throughout the UK, and doing valuable work in bringing classical music to parts of the country where live performances were rare. His amiable personality helped immeasurably in this task. As a serious artist, he was one of the last of the generation who, as an encore, would request the name of a composer and a popular tune from audience members, and improvise works in the style of the composer suggested.
'Toccatina'
His best known work is a toccatina for pianoPiano
The piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
, written in 1950. It was recorded by Benno Moiseiwitsch
Benno Moiseiwitsch
Benno Moiseiwitsch CBE was a Ukrainian-born British pianist.-Biography:Born in Odessa, Ukraine, Moiseiwitsch began his studies at age seven at the Odessa Music Academy. He won the Anton Rubinstein Prize when he was just nine years old. He later took lessons from Theodor Leschetizky in Vienna...
and later by Marc-André Hamelin
Marc-André Hamelin
Marc-André Hamelin, OC, CQ, is a French Canadian virtuoso pianist and composer.Born in Montreal, Quebec, Marc-André Hamelin began his piano studies at the age of five. His father, a pharmacist by trade who was also a pianist, introduced him to the works of Alkan, Godowsky, and Sorabji when he was...
(2001).