For over six years every week day throughout World War II, Dame Myra Hess, Britain’s greatest concert pianist, ran lunchtime concerts at London’s National Gallery. Never interrupted by the bombing and with thousands queueing daily they became the stuff of legend, proving music’s power to support us in the darkest of times.
This biography is full of insights into Hess’ collaborations with towering musicians of her day, and her activities as an unsung activist, helping refugee musicians from Nazi-occupied countries to find their feet in Britain and personally endeavouring to aid young British musicians faced with wartime deprivations.
Dame Myra Hess emerges from behind the myths: a unique personality full of generosity, courage, humour and sheer, unfailing ‘chutzpah’.
In conversation with Catherine Larner
About the author
Jessica Duchen was a classical music correspondent for The Independent for 12 years. She has written on music for BBC Music Magazine, The Guardian, Prospect Magazine, The Jewish Chronicle, The Times, iNews, and classical-music.com. She has written seven novels and is also a librettist.
