It's News Guys, But Not As We Know it!

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Meanwhile, the oppression of piano teachers continues.
We've all heard of her and how many of us hasn't tinkled on their ivories and pondered Fanny?

Oh... and apparently some people are dying of a disease that keeps you indoors.

Dame Fanny Waterman: Piano legend 'hurt' over being asked to retire.

'The legendary piano teacher Dame Fanny Waterman says she was "hurt" to be asked to retire from the
world-renowned Leeds International Piano Competition. She founded and ran the competition for more
than half a century and stepped down five years ago, aged 95.

At the time, she said: "I feel ready... to hand over the reins."
But she has now told the BBC that she had not wanted to step aside and has criticised the Leeds' decision,
calling it "misguided". "I didn't think it was the right time," she said. "I wanted to be there forever.


(Inset) A young Fanny.
(Bottom) Dame Fanny Waterman with celebrated pianists Eric Lu (left) and Lang Lang.
(But they weren't delivering Covid-19.)

"But I think the powers that be locally would say, 'I think we ought to have a change'. I remember that kind of
wording. 'I think you've been in this job long enough.'" When asked who told her to go, Dame Fanny said:
"Well, I think there was a general feeling that that was my age and that perhaps they can get someone who's
even better than me.

"I think they were misguided. Because I had many, many years more to give of my own passion, my own knowledge
and everything."

Inspirational teacher
As a child growing up in Leeds, Dame Fanny was a talented pianist herself. In 1941, she won a scholarship to the
Royal College of Music in London and went on to perform at the Proms. But she turned her back on the concert platform
to teach. Dubbed Field Marshal Fanny, she instructed and inspired generations of pupils.

She also co-devised a series of teaching books, Me and My Piano. With more than two million copies sold, they have
never been out of print. Unable to sleep during a hot summer's night almost 60 years ago, she came up with the idea of
launching an international piano competition in Leeds.

Many of the world's greatest pianists, including Murray Perahia and Radu Lupu made their names in the competition that
she nurtured and ran for decades. And then came the announcement she would retire as artistic director, chief fundraiser,
chair of the board and chair of the jury after the competition in 2015.

Her many roles were taken on by four individuals and the organisers say the competition continues to evolve as the musical
world changes.

Birthday celebration
So in 2018, for example, preliminary rounds were held in Berlin, New York and Singapore for the first time. And the whole
competition was streamed online. Dame Fanny said she "has tried not to be bitter" about what happened "because I've felt
that by saying anything, whoever succeeded me would think, 'Ooh, that was sour grapes'. I wanted the whole thing to be correct.
"I had my doubts, not about myself, but how well this could continue as I had started it."

The Leeds International Piano Competition is planning a special day of events to mark Dame Fanny Waterman's 100th birthday
on 20 March. In a statement it said "it celebrates and cherishes Dame Fanny's exceptional contribution to the musical life of this
country.

"She will always be identified with The Leeds (competition), which she built into one of the most respected and influential
international music competitions. "Her indelible impact over more than half a century guarantees her position as one of the
great figures of the music world.

"As President Emeritus of The Leeds, her continuing involvement is deeply valued and encouraged, and we hope she long
remains a guiding spirit." The next competition event, the 20th, will be held in Leeds in 2021.
"I do hope and pray that in another 100 years our competition will have the reputation it's got now," said Dame Fanny...'

BBC: