“Has L become your favourite pianist? You only recommend his concerts lately. ” I asked K.
“I think I have been to too few concerts, and know too little about piano in order to determine my favourite pianist yet.” K answered.
Together with K, we watched the World Piano Day 2020 (digital), we went to Mitsuko Uchida’s concert (live), we bought Martha Argerich’s concert ticket and we can buy concert tickets to bankruptcy if we’re not careful enough.
And still, like K said, our knowledge about piano is only a grain of sand in the ocean. We have not listened to many legendary pianists yet and still many emerging pianists to be heard. However, for me, when one become my favourite, it is personal rather than greatness. Or greatness in my very personal view.
Over these years, there are three pianists that have an impact on me.
- Murray Perahia. To be exact, his Bach’s Partitas No. 1,5 & 6 recording. You might say, of course, because I like Bach. But how many Bach’s piano specialist out there, why him? I don’t know. He recorded many Bach’s piano works, but the one that dear to me is particularly the Partitas No. 1,5 & 6. Why? I don’t know. I just follow my instinct always wanted to listen to this recording.
- Vladimir Horowitz. To be exact, this performance where he played Schubert’s Impromptu No. 3. Again, why Impromptu no. 3 but not no. 2 or no. 4? I am very sorry I have no answer. Great pianist like him play many works of various composers, why Schubert? And who am I to give a review which performances of him was the best?
I just accidentally found this performance of him, and my heart shouted: role model! He is minimalist in outward expression, extremely calm still fully engage with his music. When I practice, I record myself and see which motion or expression can be reduce, if they are helping or distracting me from music. I started thinking about this after watching this performance.
Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FxhbAGwEYGQ - Wladyslaw Szpilman. He is the pianist in the movie The Pianist. I started crying as soon as the first chord played. May be because I know the story behind this, may be I am reading the book “Ich versuche jeden zu retten” (English version: But I seek to help who I can), the letters and journal of Wilm Hosenfeld, who saved the pianist life. Wilm Hosenfeld’s life story restored my faith in humanity and Wladyslaw Szpilman’s music – F. Chopin: Nocturne C sharp-minor communicate that.
Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n9oQEa-d5rU&list=RDGMEM8h-ASY4B42jYeBhBnqb3-w&start_radio=1&rv=oUnVzvIewiw
My favour on these three pianists cannot really be explained and it is not convincing for a sound review. I just want to share my thought about my favourite pianists with you.
