There is a class of musician known, rather affectedly perhaps, by a single name: Semprini, Midori, Madonna, Sting.
Recently Nigel Kennedy has tried to enter this class. The first single-namer of all was probably the pianist Solomon.
Born Solomon Cutner in London's East End, he gave his first public performance aged eight.
After a difficult period of adjustment in his teens, he went on to become a remarkably mature and rounded performer, notable especially in Beethoven. "Nobody of his period played the Moonlight Sonata so beautifully," recorded the critic Neville Cardus.
During the Second World War, Solomon flew all over the Middle East, giving concerts to the troops, once playing 28 in 25 days. After D-Day, he accompanied the forces into Europe.
His repertoire was extensive and he made more than 100 recordings, though I doubt any are still available.
Sadly, his career ended abruptly in 1956 when he suffered a stroke. He died in 1985, aged 85.
-Roger Moodiman, Marine Parade, Brighton
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