Saluting The Wartime Generation In Music

A prize-winning graduate of the Royal Academy of Music, Oliver Williams leads a busy life as a piano recitalist, accompanist, teacher and arranger.  His recital appearances have included those in Newbury, Bolton, Cheltenham, Cambridge and at the Hungerford Festival.

 

On two occasions, he has performed at the famous Purcell Room in London.  Among his recent ventures have been Grieg’s Piano Concerto with a specially-written arrangement for the Aldbourne Band, and an all Chopin recital at Tilney Hall.

 

From the classical repertoire, Beethoven, Chopin, Schumann and Debussy are the composers he favours.  More recently, he has taken a keen interest in twentieth-century British composers such as John Ireland, Frank Bridge and York Bowen. 

 

Oliver is also thoroughly at home in the lighter musical styles, running and making frequent appearances with the Add Hock band

 

Oliver will be paying a totally unique tribute to the British Pianist Myra Hess (later Dame Myra Hess) who during WW2 organised and played at lunchtime recitals in the National Gallery for war workers and members of the Armed Forces. Total audience numbers exceeded 800,000 during the six years of war. He performs at St Nicholas Church, Newbury from noon on Saturday 8 September. This is a free event and will include a children’s choir and local teenager Holly Pullen singing the Veterans version of Hallelujah

 

” …such winning lyric gifts” – Daily Telegraph.    

 

“…an intriguing variety of beautifully played pieces… Williams’s playing is essentially English – unfussy, no unnecessary emphases, but full of conviction.  A pupil of Vivian Langrish, the influence of the Matthay teaching is noticeable and refreshing”. Review of C.D. ‘Piano Pictures’ in the British Music Magazine.  

 

“… impromptus by Schubert, interpreted with such imagination and loveliness by a pianist who seems to draw his instrument into his own being.”