"I still don’t know why my playing is considered so disturbing. I remember in school, as a child, I learned that the flame of a candle is composed of a yellow light, which actually burns, and a blue light within it, which is ice cold. That is true of human beings as well. Perhaps it is the sight of that blue light in me that frightens certain people."

Alicia De Larrocha was born in Barcelona in 1923 and studied there with Frank Marshall - himself a student of the great Spanish composer Enrique Granados. She was widely considered the greatest Spanish pianist of her time and one of the greatest pianistic talents ever.

This short list is the result of being asked for some practice tips from students and audience members. It’s by no means complete, but a few pointers in no specific order, that I find are important when I sit down to do my daily work at the piano.