About

I started learning piano at age 4, after being bribed by my mother. As a teenager, I studied with Imogen Cooper, prior to attending Oxford University as an undergraduate. I subsequently earned a PhD in music from King’s College, Cambridge, and taught/played music professionally for several years. I eventually married an American in 1983 and immigrated to the US shortly thereafter. In order to make actual money, I obtained a master's degree in computer science and worked as an IT professional for the next 25 years. In 2014, I took up piano seriously again after a 30-year hiatus. Since then, I have performed in recitals throughout the Washington area and competed successfully in several competitions, including the 7th Cliburn International Amateur Piano Competition (2016). I have also performed in master classes with distinguished artists including Santiago Rodriguez and Olga Kern.

Music

I have performed keyboard repertoire ranging from Orlando Gibbons, Frescobaldi, and Sweelinck to Prokofiev, Shostakovich, and Messiaen. However, my PhD research focused mainly on 19th century piano music, specifically piano etudes, and the bulk of my repertoire comprises music by late classical, romantic, late romantic, and impressionist composers. One of my most enjoyable (and terrifying!) experiences was performing Balakirev's "Islamey" in a master class with Olga Kern at the 2018 PianoTexas Festival, the day before she performed it in a recital herself.

Videos

Audio

Programs

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  Simon Finlow

  • Musician profile: View player profile
  • Composers: Scarlatti, Beethoven, Liszt, Scriabin
  • Instruments: Solo piano

  See full program »

Past groupmuses (1)

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  Classical Piano in NOMAD with Dr. Simon Finlow

  Saturday, Oct 1, 2022 7:00 PM EDT

  • Neighborhood: NOMAD
  • Composers: Scarlatti, Beethoven, Liszt, Scriabin
  • Instruments: Solo piano
  • Price: $30 tickets ($25 for Supermusers)

  Happened over 1 year ago