Dr Justin Wildridge

I thought I’d start the research on Brambach pianos in a slightly different way from the approach I’ve taken with other reviews, so I begin … Read more

These two anacronyms are pretty common in the world of music and music technology. In many ways, the first one (VST), is almost as much … Read more

Kimball is a name that resonates throughout the world or pianos as a producer of quality pianos. They have manufactured some of the finest instruments … Read more

The tragically short life of Franz Schubert gave rise to some of the most celebrated and performed music written during that period of history. Schubert, … Read more

Many of us have either learned or heard the music of JS Bach played on the piano. As we find ourselves in the 21st Century, … Read more

At first, the title might be a little off-putting, but exploring these two key areas of cultural history brings with it many benefits. Above all … Read more

Comparing two composers presents a difficult challenge. In the case of Brahms (1833-1897) and Wagner (1813-1883), both are celebrated Romantic composers whose contributions to the … Read more

It may be helpful when exploring the title to understand that the word renaissance broadly means re-birth. This is particularly relevant as, during this colourful … Read more

Ludwig van Beethoven is felt by many to be amongst the greatest composers who ever lived. His remarkable contributions to the symphony, concerto, sonata, and … Read more

In spite of composing some of the most dramatically beautiful music ever heard, Beethoven’s life was littered with tragedy. Apart from the obvious horror of … Read more

Before we dive further into this burning question that has generously scattered itself across many internet forums, it may be of interest to understand a … Read more

Both of these types of choral music have enjoyed popularity for many hundreds of years. Such was the demand for cantatas during the Baroque era … Read more

Mozart and Beethoven are amongst the most celebrated composers in the Classical world of music. Not only their phenomenal outpouring of works but their personal … Read more

When taking a steady look back at the history of piano manufacturing it appears that the end of the 19th Century was a popular time … Read more