[Oswald
Russell (Photo provided by William Chapman Nyaho)]
Oswald
Russell (1933-2012) remembered by his friend and student William
Chapman Nyaho:
Oswald was wonderful gentleman whom I studied with
when I was in Geneva at
the Conservatoire. I took private lessons from him as well as
Improvisation. I
later on had the honour of writing the entry on him in the
International Dictionary of
Black Composers published by CBMR.
Oswald
Russell's recitals typically consisted of a wide range of styles and
would include a brilliant improvisation.
I was always struck by the 'freshness' of his interpretations. One
would almost
feel the composer (whether it be Beethoven, Schumann, Ginastera,
whomever) had just written the work for him and the ink was still
drying..... I don't know how else to put it! It was just glorious!
He
was a huge favourite among the Genevois, packing the halls for his
recitals or concerti.
I
put a little statement on my Facebook page...
Just
devastated to learn my music mentor, my hero, my teacher and friend,
on
whose shoulders I stand.. Oswald Russell, Jamaican pianist, composer,
improviser extraordinaire has passed on. He believed in me before I could. I am
so grateful for what he did for me! May his music live on!
whose shoulders I stand.. Oswald Russell, Jamaican pianist, composer,
improviser extraordinaire has passed on. He believed in me before I could. I am
so grateful for what he did for me! May his music live on!
[Dr.
William Chapman Nyaho (b. 1958) is featured at AfriClassical.com. His
performance website is http://www.nyaho.com/
and he has a Facebook Page.]
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