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Anne Ozorio

 

As a teenager on the third world, I started listening to western classical music on a tiny transistor radio. Fortunately we had relays from the BBC in its glory days. So, like a blackbird, I listened to everything, from early music to the most up to date contemporary art music. I learned to listen without prejudgment, without following fashion. Having nothing but the music to connect to, I "really" learned to listen and try to understand. It was unique, if unconventional, training. Gradually I gravitated towards song, which is perhaps my speciality, but I've never ceased to listen broadly.

My experiences influence the reason I review. Composers and performers do what they do because they are artists, creating music from their interaction. Listening to music is like listening to a conversation. For me, a reviewer's role is to understand that conversation and express it for others in such a way as to get readers thinking and listening for themselves. I write, not for myself, but to try and give back to others what the music has given me.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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