Some years ago, Robert Shepherd was contacted by Dr Shirley Trembath, a former student of his father, pianist and teacher Roy Shepherd (1908–1987). She was keen to write a biography about Roy Shepherd with her colleague Janet Williams; Robert was delighted at the proposal.

Dr Trembath embarked on the task, but eventually became too ill to continue, so her daughter found another former student and published author to continue where she had left it – Martin Comte.

Comte spoke to Limelight about his experiences with Shepherd as a student, and the journey of writing the book.

Roy Shepherd. Photo supplied

You were a student of Roy Shepherd. When did he teach you and for how long?

Roy was my teacher from 1964 to 1968. To this day I regret that I never resumed having lessons 10 or 20 years later! I would have approached them so much differently – principally asking him to explain many aspects of playing that he simply instructed me to do. I wanted to know the reason behind much that he said to me in relation to pure piano technique and, of course, interpretation. As a young student, I...