Piano master video discussion group - Piano Technique Discussions

Cory Henry And His Flat Fingers Piano Technique

8 years ago by PLaine

Hi, At the moment one hot name in jazz field is Cory Henry, playing both hammond organ and piano. His international breaktrough was his amazing synth solo in Snarky Puppys "Lingus" (see here: https://youtu.be/L_XJ_s5IsQc, solo stars at 4:20)...

A Review Of Kemal Gekic In Minneapolis, A Comment From Me

9 years ago by A Pianist

Last Sunday Kemal Gekic played an all-Chopin recital in Minneapolis, exactly 25 years after his flamboyant interpretations of Chopin got him kicked out of the CHopin Competition in Warsaw By the way, are you guys watching the Chopin? Here's the link: Anyway, here's the link to the review of that concert:...

Nyíregyházi's Amazing Piano Technique

9 years ago by A Pianist

To see him is impressive, but the best evidence of a truly amazing pianist is to be found in a couple of audio tracks on YouTube. Search for Nyireghazy playing the Second Legend of Lizst, and also Mephisto Waltz. He breaks all bounds of convention in the Legend to make it sound fully like a prayer prayed in the middle...

Alan Fraser In Pensacola, Sept 2012 Scarlatti & Mozart

9 years ago by A Pianist

I hope you don't find it the ultimate in arrogance that I post this video here and not in the next category down!

Ilya Itin Update

9 years ago by A Pianist

I had the pleasure of visiting with Ilya Itin recently in Miami. He lives in New York but was down south to play a couple of recitals, including a stellar and highly individual performance of the Prokofiev 8th Sonata as well as Beethoven's Appassionata. We discussed of course my previous comments on his playing her...

Yours Truly At Sevenoaks School

9 years ago by A Pianist

Does Alan Fraser practice what he preaches??? Respectfully submitted, AFF

Piano Video Discussion Group #1: Martha Argerich's Scarlatti

9 years ago by A Pianist

YouTube has an amazing wealth of piano videos. It occurred to me to create a thread where I post some of them and we start talking about how these wizards are doing what they are doing. To get the ball rolling, check this out: It's Martha Argerich playing the Scarlatti Toccata in D minor, K.141. The first thi...

Tchaikowsky Competition - Alexander Romanovsky (Ukraine)

9 years ago by A Pianist

Hi, It is interesting to watch this pianist lean his thumbs against the lower board in certain passages. I am not sure I am stating it right but you can see for yourselves. Great brilliant pianist! and choose "Watch online". If you have not done so you must register and download a program from...

A Piano Technique WAY Beyond Arm Weight Or Finger Action

9 years ago by A Pianist

Somewhere else I write about Volodos and arm weight. I thought this next video would help clear up what I am trying to say. It's Gyorgy Cziffra warming up for a TV show. It's an incredible display of natural finger dexterity, even if the musical values at times seem far from highbrow, and it's exactly that freed...

Kemal Gekic And A Different Sort Of Piano Technique

9 years ago by A Pianist

Kemal Gekic is known as a Liszt specialist, a pianist of thunder and fireworks - these YouTube videos show a lesser known but crucial side of his pianism. Kemal's Mozart sparkles and sings with wit and charm; it is alive, sprightly and full of color without ever betraying Mozart style. Rather, Kemal's wide dynamic pale...

Jorge Luis Prats - What Piano Technique Is Really All About!

9 years ago by A Pianist

I posted one YouTube performance by Jorge Luis in the Ilya Itin thread, and further investigations have prompted me to add this to the conversation: . This long interview to my mind demonstrates what piano technique is really all about - it is at the service of musical expression and imagination; it is the means b...

A Close Up From Above Of M. Argerich's Playing

9 years ago by A Pianist

Here is the first movement of the Rachmaninoff Suite no. 2 for two pianos. Funny they don't mention who the other pianist is, you only can see her briefly at the beginning. youtube.com/watch?v=ET_bXJada4Q Enjoy and discuss!!?? Your link leads me to a version of "Je crois entendre encore" from Bizet's "Th...

Discussion Group #3: Misha Dacic's Scriabin Fantasy Op. 28

9 years ago by A Pianist

Misha Dacic (pronounced "Datsich") studied with Kemal Gekich here in Novi Sad, former Yugoslavia, and as Kemal's assistant I had the pleasure of working with him on many occasions. I'll never forget the first time I heard him, playing Chopin Op. 25 #7 in our recital hall - it was to die for, emotional, pianis...

Marian Friedman (amazing Repeated Notes)

9 years ago by A Pianist

Natan Brand

9 years ago by A Pianist

Natan was a truly great pianist whose life was tragically cut short... I have always admired him tremendously!

Horowitz's Last Student - Chopin Series

9 years ago by A Pianist

Here is an instructional video series on Chopin's piano music which you all might find interesting. It features Horowitz's last student, Dean Kramer (who has not otherwise appeared on YouTube to my knowledge), and his wife Claire Wachter. They are both on the piano faculty at the University of Oregon School of Music an...

Van Cliburn In The Late 50s

9 years ago by A Pianist

I forgot to mention to you guys about one of my absolute favorite youtube videos. The most stunning, definitive rendition of Liszt's 12th rhapsody by young Cliburn in 1950s Moscow. Would love to know what you thought too. Cheers, Josu

Some Pianists Whose Playing Haven't Been Discussed Here Yet

9 years ago by A Pianist

Would love to hear your comments and Alan's on some amazing pianists and their way with the instrument that haven't been discussed here yet (I believe). I would be particularly intrigued about what you guys thought re: Bolet's performance of the slow movement of Chopin's 3rd Sonata (one must listen to the whole movemen...

Arturo Benedetti Michelangeli Plays Bach-Busoni

9 years ago by A Pianist

This little gem is my favorite performance of anything, ever. Although there are a precious few shots of his hands, the ones there are are priceless. The one I want to mention in particular (4:12) I believe Alan will enjoy, as it demonstrates perfectly that notorious 'grasping' action so perfectly. I may make a GIF...

Horowitz's Hand Viewed From The Above

9 years ago by A Pianist

This seems to be the only video I've seen showing Horowitz's hands from above, albeit only at the very begining, for a brief while. Another interesting angle is at 6:40, too. It's interesting to see how he sometimes curl his thumb.

Gabriela Montero

9 years ago by A Pianist

Gabriela Montero was in town the other night and I got to go to her concert. She is truly astonishing. The program was all improvisation, and what remarkable things came out of her! There were two lengthy improvisations where I could have sworn she was "channeling" Bach/Busoni, and others that could have bee...

Taubman Devotee

9 years ago by A Pianist

The link below is to a video of a charming young woman who teaches piano in Alabama. The narrative over the video is annoying, but her technique is pretty representative of the Taubman practitioners I have met. Comments? ocd

Videos Of Young Horowitz

9 years ago by A Pianist

Both of these videos have no sound. In 1928/1929 It's kind of hard to see what he's doing here, but some octaves and arpeggios are clear. 1926: This video shows a great angle, complete with slow motion footage. Some interesting things to note: He didn't use flat fingers at the time, and has fine pos...

Declining Great Pianists

9 years ago by A Pianist

I don't really understand how Ivo Pogorelich has gone so low. His early recording, the controversial Chopin sonata, really set me to fire. His sound doesn't vary as much as some of the more prominent pianist, yet somehow, I don't know why but probably the way he phrased it and his deep passion, touches me deeply. A...

Art Tatum

9 years ago by A Pianist

What do you think of this video?