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SCOTT WATKINS: HOME

"Scott Watkins is a polished player in his prime." - Folio Weekly

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The opening splash photo was taken in Yinchuan, China, at North National University's Conservatory of Music and Dance - I am surrounded by the piano faculty. They are wonderful people committed to inspiring, mentoring, and teaching. I look forward to seeing them again in the spring of 2012.

Follow me on twitter @swpianist and on facebook at facebook.com/scottwatkins

Remember United Air Lines Flight 93 with your gift to help build the memorial to the first Americans who fought the first battle in the war on terror. Every time you purchase my CD "Christmas Cards" - which was recorded on September 11, 2001, a portion of the proceeds from that sale goes to help build the Shanksville Memorial to the heroes of United Air Lines Flight 93. Please visit www.honorflight93.org.

Thank you.

Alexis Weissenberg (July 29, 1929 - January 8, 2012) - January 13, 2012

Although Mr. Weissenberg had been ill for some time, his death is no less sad nor shocking. I had the good fortune to have had a lesson with Mr. Weissenberg in the 1990s which was an experience I will never forget. He was a generous man (generous with his time, energy, money, art) to whom the sound of the piano was his own voice ... his language. His career was storied, legendary, and his playing was revered by so many. He played the piano with what was once called scientific clarity, could produce unthinkable volume "without ever losing the shimmering roundness of tone." - The New York Times.

More and more of his once thought lost or forgotten recordings are again being reissued (thankfully) and more video of his performces is also becoming known and available. Most remarkable is his Brahms Piano Concerto No. 2 in Paris with conductor Georges Pretre.

I first saw and heard him in Cincinnati in a performance of the Third Rachmaninoff Piano Concerto with conductor Jesus Lopez Cobos. I have never been the same. I heard him again in an all-Schumann recital in Chicago, and met him many times after masterclasses. He always remembered me by name - not unusual for him.

More than anything, he taught me (at my lesson, in masterclass, through interviews, and by his performances) to have faith and courage in my musical convictions; to trust my beliefs; and to always play the piano for the one person who may be listening to you because he MUST.

I invite and encourage you to learn about the artistry of Alexis Weissenberg.

RIP Maestro.

WATKINS NAMED SHIGERU KAWAI ARTIST! - August 19, 2011

I am honored to have been recently named one of five living Shigeru Kawai artists.

For further details, please visit http://shigerukawai.com/main_links/artists_bios/scott_watkins.html
When I play a Shigeru, I feel like a real pianist ... like an artist.

Thank you to the wonderful people at Kawai and Shigeru Kawai for this humbling honor.

Two new links! - August 4, 2011

We've added two new links - each to articles in The Financial Times, London. One deals with the future of pianism, and the other focuses on the large number of Chinese children studying the piano. Both are excellent.

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