Margaret Fingerhut
Encyclopedia
Margaret Ruth Fingerhut (born 30 March 1955) is a British concert pianist
who has performed in many different countries and has become well-known for her innovative and entertaining recital programmes which combine popular and unusual repertoire. Margaret currently lives in London with her son Samuel.
, London Philharmonic Orchestra
, Philharmonia Orchestra, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
, BBC Philharmonic, BBC National Orchestra of Wales, BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra and the London Mozart Players, in venues such as the Royal Festival Hall, Royal Albert Hall and the Barbican. She is often heard on BBC Radio 3 and Classic FM and many radio stations worldwide. Her film and television appearances include a role in Testimony, Tony Palmer’s film about Shostakovich.
Her extensive and eclectic discography on the Chandos label has received worldwide critical acclaim. Her numerous discs reflect her long-standing fascination with exploring lesser-known repertoire, and include works by Bax, Bainton, Berkeley, Bloch, Dukas, Falla, Grieg, Howells, Leighton, Novák, Stanford and Suk. Many have been selected as the Gramophone’s Critics’ Choice, and two of her Bax recordings - the Octet with the Academy of St. Martin-in-the-Fields Chamber Ensemble and the Concertante for Piano Left Hand and Orchestra with Vernon Handley and the BBC Philharmonic - were short-listed for Gramophone awards. Her disc of solo piano music by Alexandre Tansman was picked as a “Diapason D’Or” in Diapason magazine. She was also the soloist in the world première recording of Percy Young’s arrangement of Elgar’s sketches for his Piano Concerto slow movement, with the Munich Symphony Orchestra conducted by Douglas Bostock.
Margaret Fingerhut taught piano at the Royal Northern College of Music for a number of years and she is currently a Visiting Tutor at the Birmingham Conservatoire. She has given many masterclasses in the UK, including Dartington International Summer School and Chetham’s International Summer School for Pianists. Her teaching at Dartington was described by The Spectator
magazine as demonstrating “enormous skill and sympathy”. She has also given masterclasses in the USA, Canada and China.
In addition to her performing and teaching, she has written articles for magazines such as Classical Music
, Pianist and Piano Professional.
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:...
who has performed in many different countries and has become well-known for her innovative and entertaining recital programmes which combine popular and unusual repertoire. Margaret currently lives in London with her son Samuel.
Career
Margaret Fingerhut is regarded as one of the most poetic pianists of her generation who has become known for her exploration of the highways and byways of the piano repertoire. She has given recitals in Europe, the USA, Canada, India and Africa. As a concerto soloist she has appeared with the London Symphony OrchestraLondon Symphony Orchestra
The London Symphony Orchestra is a major orchestra of the United Kingdom, as well as one of the best-known orchestras in the world. Since 1982, the LSO has been based in London's Barbican Centre.-History:...
, London Philharmonic Orchestra
London Philharmonic Orchestra
The London Philharmonic Orchestra , based in London, is one of the major orchestras of the United Kingdom, and is based in the Royal Festival Hall. In addition, the LPO is the main resident orchestra of the Glyndebourne Festival Opera...
, Philharmonia Orchestra, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra is a British orchestra based in London. It tours widely, and is sometimes referred to as "Britain's national orchestra"...
, BBC Philharmonic, BBC National Orchestra of Wales, BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra and the London Mozart Players, in venues such as the Royal Festival Hall, Royal Albert Hall and the Barbican. She is often heard on BBC Radio 3 and Classic FM and many radio stations worldwide. Her film and television appearances include a role in Testimony, Tony Palmer’s film about Shostakovich.
Her extensive and eclectic discography on the Chandos label has received worldwide critical acclaim. Her numerous discs reflect her long-standing fascination with exploring lesser-known repertoire, and include works by Bax, Bainton, Berkeley, Bloch, Dukas, Falla, Grieg, Howells, Leighton, Novák, Stanford and Suk. Many have been selected as the Gramophone’s Critics’ Choice, and two of her Bax recordings - the Octet with the Academy of St. Martin-in-the-Fields Chamber Ensemble and the Concertante for Piano Left Hand and Orchestra with Vernon Handley and the BBC Philharmonic - were short-listed for Gramophone awards. Her disc of solo piano music by Alexandre Tansman was picked as a “Diapason D’Or” in Diapason magazine. She was also the soloist in the world première recording of Percy Young’s arrangement of Elgar’s sketches for his Piano Concerto slow movement, with the Munich Symphony Orchestra conducted by Douglas Bostock.
Margaret Fingerhut taught piano at the Royal Northern College of Music for a number of years and she is currently a Visiting Tutor at the Birmingham Conservatoire. She has given many masterclasses in the UK, including Dartington International Summer School and Chetham’s International Summer School for Pianists. Her teaching at Dartington was described by The Spectator
The Spectator
The Spectator is a weekly British magazine first published on 6 July 1828. It is currently owned by David and Frederick Barclay, who also owns The Daily Telegraph. Its principal subject areas are politics and culture...
magazine as demonstrating “enormous skill and sympathy”. She has also given masterclasses in the USA, Canada and China.
In addition to her performing and teaching, she has written articles for magazines such as Classical Music
Classical Music Magazine
Classical Music magazine is a trade magazine for the classical music profession. It champions those working in the UK classical music industry and has correspondents across Great Britain and in New York....
, Pianist and Piano Professional.
Critical reaction
- “One of the most radiantly musical of pianists, she plays with such alluring sensitivity and effortless command that one cannot help but be won over”.
- "A triumph of piano playing"
- "A brilliantly spontaneous soloist"
- "Every move she makes is utterly musical and idiomatc"