Great Pianists on Piano Playing (Annotated)
Enriched Edition. Study Talks on Technique, Practice, Interpretation, and Artistic Discipline from Early Twentieth-Century PianistsBy James Francis Cooke
Length8h 12m
About this audiobook
Great Pianists on Piano Playing is a richly instructive collection of "study talks" in which the foremost keyboard artists of the early twentieth century reflect on technique, interpretation, practice, tone, memory, and artistic discipline. Written in a lucid, conversational style, the volume belongs to the golden age of piano pedagogy, when Romantic virtuosity was being codified for modern conservatory culture. Its value lies not merely in advice, but in its portrait of pianism as an intellectual, moral, and poetic art. James Francis Cooke was an American pianist, teacher, editor, and influential musical journalist, closely associated with The Etude, one of the most important music periodicals of its era. His professional life placed him in direct contact with celebrated performers and pedagogues, enabling him to preserve their practical wisdom with unusual clarity. Cooke's own pedagogical commitments shaped the book's purpose: to make elite artistic insight accessible to serious students. This book is highly recommended for pianists, teachers, historians of performance, and readers interested in the culture of musical mastery. It offers enduring counsel on disciplined study while revealing how great artists thought about the piano beyond mere mechanics.
This enriched edition has been carefully crafted to add value to your reading experience.
- A succinct Introduction situates the work's timeless appeal and themes.
- The Synopsis outlines the central plot, highlighting key developments without spoiling critical twists.
- A detailed Historical Context immerses you in the era's events and influences that shaped the writing.
- A thorough Analysis dissects symbols, motifs, and character arcs to unearth underlying meanings.
- Reflection questions prompt you to engage personally with the work's messages, connecting them to modern life.
Audiobook details
GenreOther
Length8 hrs 12 mins
Narrated byListen with 1,000+ voices
FormateBook with Audio
Publish dateDec 12, 2023
LanguageEnglish
Table of contents
1Introduction
165katharine goodson
2Introduction
166JOSEF HOFMANN
3Historical Context
167Biographical
4Synopsis (Selection)
168XII
5THE ARTIST'S LIFE
169PROGRESS IN PIANO STUDY
Show all chaptersShow less
6The Virtuoso's Career as It Really Is
170josef hofmann
7Golden Bait
171What Determines Changes in Playing
8Freak Pianists
172The New Technic and the Old
9A Pathetic Example
173Technic Since Liszt
10The Pianist of To-day
174Definite Methods are Little More than Stencils
11The Magic of Magnetism
175The Study of Details Imperative
12A Notable Example
176Well-meaning Advisers
13The Greatest Thing of All
177Questions in Style, Interpretation, Expression and Technic of Pianoforte Playing
14II
178SERIES X
15ARE PIANISTS BORN OR MADE?
179josef hofmann
16The American Virtuoso of To-day
180JOSEF LHÉVINNE
17PEPITO ARRIOLA
181Biographical
18Biographical
182XIII
19III
183PIANO STUDY IN RUSSIA
20THE STORY OF A WONDER CHILD
184josef lhévinne
21pepito arriola
185Russia's Many Keyboard Masters
22My Earliest Recollections
186With the Musical Child in Russia
23My Friendship With Arthur Nikisch
187The Kind of Music the Russian Child Hears
24My First Regular Instruction
188Instruction Books
25Early Repertory
189Opportunities for Virtuoso-Students in Russia
26My Daily Practice
190Why Russian Pianists Are Famed for Technic
27General Education
191Modern Russian Influence in Musical Art
28Theoretical Studies
192Questions in Style, Interpretation, Expression and Technic of Pianoforte Playing
29Reading and Study
193SERIES XI
30At the Concert
194josef lhévinne
31Questions in Style, Interpretation, Expression and Technic of Pianoforte Playing
195VLADIMIR DE PACHMANN
32SERIES I
196Biographical
33pepito arriola
197XIV
34WILHELM BACHAUS
198SEEKING ORIGINALITY
35Biographical
199vladimir de pachmann
36IV
200The Meaning of Originality
37THE PIANIST OF TO-MORROW
201Machine Teaching
38wilhelm bachaus
202Originality the Road To Permanent Fame
39To-day, Yesterday and To-morrow
203The Most Original Composers
40The Wonderful Efficacy of Scales
204Self-help the Secret of Many Successes
41Bach Musically Omnipotent
205A Surprised Teacher
42The Old That Is Ever New
206Deep Thought Necessary
43Difficulties in New Pianoforte Compositions
207Take Time To Do Things Well
44Mere Difficulty No Longer Astounds
208Mastering Artistic Details
45Modern Compositions
209Something No One Can Teach
46The Most Difficult Compositions
210The Best Teacher
47Praise That Irritates
211The Basis of Greatness
48Why Not Seek the Beautiful?
212Questions in Style, Interpretation, Expression and Technic of Pianoforte Playing
49Exercises That Give Immediate Help
213SERIES XII
50Avoid Too Complicated Exercises
214vladimir de pachmann
51Questions in Style, Interpretation, Expression and Technic of Pianoforte Playing
215MAX PAUER
52SERIES II
216Biographical
53wilhelm bachaus
217XV
54HAROLD BAUER
218MODERN PIANISTIC PROBLEMS
55Biographical
219max pauer
56V
220Acquiring the Requisite Technic
57ARTISTIC ASPECTS OF PIANO STUDY
221Innovators Should Be Pianists
58harold bauer
222Avoid Machine-like Playing
59The Immediate Relation of Technic To Music
223Broad Understanding Necessary
60The Aim of Technic
224Freedom From Convention
61Seeking Individual Expression
225Questions in Style, Interpretation, Expression and Technic of Pianoforte Playing
62The Resistance of the Medium
226SERIES XIII
63The Perversion of Studies
227max pauer
64The Unit of Musical Expression
228S. V. RACHMANINOFF
65Music First, the Instrument Afterwards
229Biographical
66Variety the Spice of Art
230XVI
67Muscular and Nervous Energy
231ESSENTIALS OF ARTISTIC PLAYING
68Phrasing and Breathing
232s. v. rachmaninoff
69The Natural Effect of Emotions
233Forming the Proper Conception of a Piece
70Questions in Style, Interpretation, Expression and Technic of Pianoforte Playing
234Technical Proficiency
71SERIES III
235Proper Phrasing
72harold bauer
236Regulating the Tempo
73FANNY BLOOMFIELD-ZEISLER
237Character in Playing
74Biographical
238The Significance of the Pedal
75VI
239The Danger of Convention
76APPEARING IN PUBLIC
240Real Musical Understanding
77fanny bloomfield-zeisler
241Playing To Educate the Public
78Thorough Preparation Necessary
242The Vital Spark
79Leschetizky and 'Method'
243Questions in Style, Interpretation, Expression and Technic of Pianoforte Playing
80Well-selected Programs
244SERIES XIV
81Personality
245s. v. rachmaninoff
82Do Not Attempt the Impossible
246ALFRED REISENAUER
83Foreign Débuts
247Biographical
84Practical Suggestions
248XVII
85Questions in Style, Interpretation, Expression and Technic of Pianoforte Playing
249SYSTEMATIC MUSICAL TRAINING
86SERIES IV
250alfred reisenauer
87fanny bloomfield-zeisler
251Köhler's Technical Scheme
88FERRUCCIO BENVENUTO BUSONI
252With Liszt
89Biographical
253Liszt's Pedagogical Methods
90VII
254A Unique Attitude
91IMPORTANT DETAILS IN PIANO STUDY
255The Future of Pianoforte Music
92ferruccio benvenuto busoni
256American Musical Taste
93The Significance of the Detail
257Concert Conditions in America
94Learning To Listen
258Questions in Style, Interpretation, Expression and Technic of Pianoforte Playing
95Self Development
259SERIES XV
96Finding Individual Faults
260alfred reisenauer
97Details of Phrasing and Accentuation
261EMIL SAUER
98Bach, Bach, Bach
262Biographical
99Questions on Style, Interpretation, Expression and Technic of Piano Playing
263XVIII
100SERIES V
264THE TRAINING OF THE VIRTUOSO
101ferruccio benvenuto busoni
265emil sauer
102TERESA CARREÑO
266Slow Systematic Practice
103Biographical
267The Necessity for a Good General Education
104VIII
268Clean Playing vs. Slovenly Playing
105DISTINCTIVE PIANO PLAYING
269Health a Vital Factor
106teresa carreño
270Judicious Use of Technical Exercises
107Early Evidences of Individuality
271Study Abroad
108New Problems at Every Step
272Versatility
109The Teacher's Responsibility
273Cultivating Finger Strength
110Edward MacDowell's Individuality
274Velocity
111Developing Individuality Through Poetry
275Talent
112Cultivating Vivacity and Brilliancy
276Be Natural
113The Importance of Studying Musical History
277Talent Counts
114Questions on Style, Interpretation, Expression and Technic of Piano Playing
278Questions in Style, Interpretation, Expression and Technic of Pianoforte Playing
115SERIES VI
279SERIES XVI
116teresa carreño
280emil sauer
117OSSIP GABRILOWITSCH
281XAVER SCHARWENKA
118Biographical
282Biographical
119IX
283XIX
120ESSENTIALS OF TOUCH
284ECONOMY IN MUSIC STUDY
121ossip gabrilowitsch
285xaver scharwenka
122A Rigid Arm Undesirable
286Time Lost in Early Study
123Touch a Distinguishing Characteristic
287Ear-Training
124Combining Different Touches
288Waste in Technical Study
125Mechanical Methods Dangerous
289Waste in Unimportant Subjects
126Students Should Hear Virtuosos
290Brain Technic Versus Finger Technic
127Methods, and Still More Methods
291A Case in Point
128Don't Neglect Ear Training
292Questions in Style, Interpretation, Expression and Technic of Pianoforte Playing
129Artistic Interpretation Paramount
293SERIES XVII
130Questions in Style, Interpretation, Expression and Technic of Pianoforte Playing
294xaver scharwenka
131SERIES VII
295ERNEST SCHELLING
132ossip gabrilowitsch
296Biographical
133LEOPOLD GODOWSKY
297XX
134Biographical
298LEARNING A NEW PIECE
135X
299ernest schelling
136THE REAL SIGNIFICANCE OF TECHNIC
300Preliminary Study
137leopold godowsky
301The Technical Demands of the Piece
138Ideas Upon Technic Often Erroneous
302Formal Divisions
139The Brain Side of Piano Study
303The Touch Required
140The Emotions in Piano Playing
304The Right Tempo
141Inspiring the Student
305Rhythmic Peculiarities
142Changes in the Mechanism of the Instrument
306The Composer's Inspiration
143The Significance of Weight Playing
307Studying the Phrasing
144Moulding the Fingers To the Keys
308Marking the Fingering
145Individuality, Character and Temperament
309Memorizing
146Genius and Work
310Questions in Style, Interpretation, Expression and Technic of Pianoforte Playing
147Questions in Style, Interpretation, Expression and Technic of Pianoforte Playing
311SERIES XVIII
148SERIES VIII
312ernest schelling
149leopold godowsky
313SIGISMUND STOJOWSKI
150KATHARINE GOODSON
314BIOGRAPHICAL
151Biographical
315XXI
152XI
316WHAT INTERPRETATION REALLY IS
153ANALYZING MASTERPIECES
317sigismund stojowski
154katharine goodson
318The Composer's Limitations in His Means of Expression
155The Natural Tendency To Analyze
319The Interpreter Must Coöperate with the Composer
156The First Step in Analyzing a New Piece
320Studying the Historical Background
157The Poetic Idea of the Piece
321The Inadequacy of Musical Signs
158Studying the Rhythm
322Learning the Musical Language
159The Analysis of Phrases
323Mistakes Peculiar to the Pianoforte Player
160Studying the Harmony
324Questions in Style, Interpretation, Expression and Technic of Pianoforte Playing
161A Careful Analysis of Touch Effects
325SERIES XIX
162The Responsibilities of the Teacher
326Sigismund Stojowski
163Questions in Style, Interpretation, Expression and Technic of Pianoforte Playing
327Analysis
164SERIES IX
328Reflection
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