Annie Fischer

Here is another excellent pianist. Amazing energy and musicianship. Handel Chaccone: The left hand octaves are so majestic and vigorous. Mozart 21: Liszt 1: Any thoughts?

Thanks for this post. I am short on time so only watched and listened to the Handel. Magnificent playing but also especially useful to us because it is one of the best illustrations of the arm weight school at its best that I have come across to date. She illustrates what Arrau said: "Strong fingers are the , or at least not any more than they need to. I suppose they do have a certain inner resilience and are not totally stiff, but you see absolutely no collapse. The sonic result is wonderful - she has that 'knocking' sound that I love so much, and has it in spades. So many pianists had that 'knocking' sound back then, both jazz and classical - were the old Steinways set up differently or has the technique really disappeared so utterly? Jai, what was your word for the knocking sound, I forgot... When she has fast passagework, again she has total command of her fingers. There is no sense of over-looseness, and there is absolutely no arm pumping. Also note the distinct absence of the 'classic arm out' relaxation movements we see so much of today. When arm weight technique is done well, they become not only superfluous but a distraction and she rightly avoids them. Her fingers move and the arm is quiet behind them. It actually looks at these points like the finger action school but you can sense that yes, of course the arm is loose behind them. It's just not moving around very much - why should it? Thanks again for the post! AFF