About

The Cross-Eyed Pianist is Frances Wilson – pianist, writer and music lover

“an important voice in the piano world”

Peter Donohoe CBE, concert pianist & international competition juror

Frances Wilson is one of the best writers blogging about classical music. From her popular “Meet the Artist” interviews to concert announcements to finely honed essays on music and playing the piano, The Cross-Eyed Pianist is a must-read site for pianists and music lovers.

Rhonda Rizzo, writer & pianist

Established in 2010, The Cross-Eyed Pianist enjoys a wide global readership with c25,000 visitors to the site per month and c15,000 followers on social media. Regularly updated with varied content, including concert and CD reviews, interviews and previews, articles on piano playing, teaching and repertoire, and more esoteric musings on music and musicians, The Cross-Eyed Pianist is now one of the UK’s leading blogs on classical music.

“Thank you for the enthusiasm you bring to music”

Leon Bosch, double bassist & conductor

In addition to writing and editing this blog, Frances Wilson is a regular contributor to InterludeHK, and has written for Classical Music, International Piano, Pianist and The Schubertian (journal of the Schubert Institute of the UK). She was a playlist curator for classical music streaming site IDAGIO, and for seven years was a London concerts reviewer for Bachtrack. She has written teaching notes for the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music and Trinity College London, and writes programme notes for leading UK music venues. Her debut novel Facing the Music was published in 2026.

“…..very grateful for all that YOU do for the industry; you are so supportive of both established professionals as well as younger artists starting out”

Alisdair Hogarth, concert pianist

Frances has appeared on BBC Radio 3’s Music Matters to discuss the role of music criticism today and the effect of the internet on music journalism and writing, and on several classical music podcasts, including the Thoroughly Good Classical Music Podcast, The David Taylor Podcast and Things Musicians Don’t Talk About podcast

An advanced amateur pianist, Frances returned to the piano after an absence of some 25 years, achieving professional performance Diplomas (both with Distinction) in her late 40s. She has studied with a number of acclaimed teachers, including Penelope Roskell and Graham Fitch, and participated in masterclasses, workshops and courses with, amongst others, Stephen Savage, Murray McLachlan, and Charlotte Tomlinson.

Frances lives in south-west Dorset with her husband, two Burmese cats, and a 1913 C.Bechstein grand piano known affectionately as “Bechy”.


This site is free to access and ad-free, and takes many hours to research, write, and maintain. If you find joy and value in what I do, why not

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fran+pic

(photo: James Eppy)

8 Comments

  3. I so very much enjoy reading your posts. So inspiring, your posts, and makes me want to do two things: return to teaching again and relocate to a place as wonderful as London. Of course that will not happen. Currently just teaching my own children (3 girls) and I need to do better with my own teaching. Reading your blog from Papua, Indonesia (the other half of the New Guinea island). Keep up the good work and keep inspiring. Thanks.

  5. Your blog is always interesting and is giving me much pleasure while away from home. I can see and hear you which is a great comfort.

  6. What a great blog! Our Oxfam here in Blandford is indeed a great shop. Thanks for the articulate and entertaining style. Do you mind if I use your “Anatomy of a piece” in lessons?

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