Anyone who thinks that the classic and romantic repertory is predictable would be in for a shock, hearing the music on the original instruments championed by Richard Burnett. The tone colours, the attacks, indeed everything about a work emerges fresh and new. Burnett was not a dull scholar, always playing safe. His interpretations were often mischievous and jokey. He kept music alive and relevant to our lives now.
![Richard Burnett, centre, playing the piano, with Ian Partridge, left, and the actor Prunella Scales.](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/b352935ac174efb1b63e374ee54e740d7dc7b62d/18_623_1433_860/master/1433.jpg?width=465&dpr=1&s=none)