Hunt for talent to play late composer’s work

The brother of a published composer and music teacher from Edgware who died earlier this year is seeking other musicians to perform his work in his memory.

Jonathan FeBland, who was Jewish and trained at London’s Royal Academy of Music, was a published composer of works of different musical styles and for different instruments.

Having started learning piano aged four, he passed Grade 1 the following year and made his debut at the South Bank in 1982 while a student. He died in April, aged 56, after a three-year battle with cancer.

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FeBland’s brother, Adam Bass, wants other musicians to record themselves performing his work, which he will upload to a YouTube channel set up in his memory.

Bass said: “I grew up seeing Jonathan dedicate his life to music. He has composed for 40 years and built a huge body of work. I know how much it would mean to him to have people listen to and perform his compositions. We’ve had an amazing response from classical musicians who have performed Jonathan’s work – including Stephen Bryant, leader of the BBC Philharmonic – but we’d like more.”

Meanwhile, FeBland’s friend and virtuoso pianist, Louis Demetrius Alvanis, has organised an afternoon recital, Piano Colours, in his honour at the Rudolf Steiner House in London on 8 October, where he will perform works by Chopin and Liszt, as well as by FeBland.

FeBland’s mother, Lorraine Bushell, said: “Jonathan was a gifted teacher and the children loved him. Even though he has gone, his music will live on.”

To contact Adam about performing Jonathan’s work, email adam@goldengoose.uk.com. For details about the concert, visit internationalconcertseries.eventbrite.co.uk