Hatches, Matches & Despatches

[bingo]

Christoph von Dohnányi (8 Sep 1929 Berlin - 6 Sep 2025 Munich), German conductor. Grandson of Hungarian composer and pianist Ernst von Dohnányi (1877-1960)

[quercus]

Gary Graffman (Oct 14, 1928 - Dec 27, 2025), pianist and pedagogue
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/12/27/arts ... -dead.html

[4candles]

Jonathan Powell (1969 - Dec 27, 2025), pianist and composer, best known for his championing of Sorabji and Russian piano music.

[Phillip210]

This is terrible news—what a huge loss to music and pianism. I only saw him play live once, at a recital in Brighton (or maybe Lewes) at which he played piano sonatas by the late John White (who was present). I believe he used to contribute to this forum under the name 'Isokani'.

[Jean-Séb]

This seems unbelievable. He was so brilliant, what a loss for us and for contemporary music. However it seems from all the messages he was posting that he was very deeply unhappy. I do not know how he left this world, whether he chose to do so or not. May he rest in peace, at last.

[quercus]

Slipped Disc published a touching eulogy of Jonathan Powell (who posted here as Isokani):
https://slippedisc.com/2026/01/on-the-t ... h-pianist/

[parag]

Absolutely devastating and sad news... what a terrible loss!

Isokani will be sorely missed.

[bingo]

Oh my. Just catching up on this news. I had many of his recordings before encountering him on this forum. I'm really saddened by this news.

[bingo]

Ralph Towner (March 1, 1940 – January 18, 2026) was an American multi-instrumentalist, composer, arranger, and bandleader. He played the twelve-string guitar, classical guitar, electric FRAME guitar, piano, synthesizer, percussion, trumpet, and French horn.

While best known for his guitar work, particularly on the ECM label, he started off his professional career as a Bill Evans-influenced jazz pianist.

[bingo]

Tamás Vásáry 1933 (Debrecen, Hungary) - 5 Feb 2026

Pianist and conductor
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tam%C3%A1 ... 1s%C3%A1ry