Funny pianist

David Scheel, who was last on Arran nine years ago, broke with all tradition in his concert at the High School theatre last week. Nothing was treated with reverence, and funny stories abounded, interspersed with astonishingly fluent playing, hardly any of which needed any written music. This was a pianist and composer with a head full of music, some of it (he confessed afterwards) made up on the spot. David belongs to the great tradition of performers, relying on a mind brimful of music. His phenomenal skill and memory perhaps worked against him, leaving the audience wanting more music and perhaps a little less talk. But then, he was performing for people used to evenings filled with music, and this was very different. The lovely Kawai piano was shown off in all its range of sound, and much enjoyed. It will feature several times in the coming year’s programmes, though the Music Society will be back at Brodick Hall for the concerts that do not need a piano.