Famous Pianists & Their Technique

by Reginald R. Gerig

This work includes summaries and excerpts from the works of C.P.E. Bach, Bartok, Beethoven, Brahms, Hummel and Debussy.

Genres: Music, Nonfiction

560 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 1994

Reviews

[Shannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a fascinating survey of piano technique from its origination on organ and other early keyboard instruments to current practice. I was afraid the book would begin with tedious descriptions of physiology and its relationship to piano playing. Those descriptions and diagrams appear in much later chapters after the contrasting and contradicting ideas of technique throughout the history of piano have created a thirst in the reader to understand the natural design and use of the body. Excerpts from personal letters, reviews from people who watched these historic performers, and the pianists' own writings help explain the developments. I found in the early chapters the reasons for stylistic differences between composers and hints at interpretation that have never been clear in private lessons. I discovered one of the great flaws of my own organ technique. The book concludes with a concise summary of the terrain that piano technique has traveled and a number of useful topical appendices and additional resources. The wealth of information makes me long to know so much more. Throughout the volume, analytical details are subjected to the real reason for technique: the ability to make music.

[Courtney Dantzler · Rating 5 out of 5]

beethoven's hands were apparently very hairy.

[Keith Wheeles · Rating 3 out of 5]

The early portions of the book were very interesting and enjoyable to me (perhaps because they were within my grasp given how little piano technique I am familiar with). The later sections contained substantive technique changes (holistic rather the focused on just fingers, or just arms), but they were packed with the history of how and by whom these changes were made. More detail there than I was interested in.

[Blair · Rating 2 out of 5]

Some good points but did not blow my mind. Academic tone if one minds such things. What I took away is that ultimately not much is known about pre-18th century playing. Also confirmed to me early piano technique is pretty much useless on modern grands playing modern material. Might be of great internet to those interested in the history of paino.