
Great Pianists on Piano Playing (Annotated)
Enriched Edition. Study Talks on Technique, Practice, Interpretation, and Artistic Discipline from Early Twentieth-Century PianistsBy James Francis CookeLength8h 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
2Introduction
3Historical Context
4Synopsis (Selection)
5THE ARTIST'S LIFE
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6The Virtuoso's Career as It Really Is
7Golden Bait
8Freak Pianists
9A Pathetic Example
10The Pianist of To-day
11The Magic of Magnetism
12A Notable Example
13The Greatest Thing of All
14II
15ARE PIANISTS BORN OR MADE?
16The American Virtuoso of To-day
17PEPITO ARRIOLA
18Biographical
19III
20THE STORY OF A WONDER CHILD
21pepito arriola
22My Earliest Recollections
23My Friendship With Arthur Nikisch
24My First Regular Instruction
25Early Repertory
26My Daily Practice
27General Education
28Theoretical Studies
29Reading and Study
30At the Concert
31Questions in Style, Interpretation, Expression and Technic of Pianoforte Playing
32SERIES I
33pepito arriola
34WILHELM BACHAUS
35Biographical
36IV
37THE PIANIST OF TO-MORROW
38wilhelm bachaus
39To-day, Yesterday and To-morrow
40The Wonderful Efficacy of Scales
41Bach Musically Omnipotent
42The Old That Is Ever New
43Difficulties in New Pianoforte Compositions
44Mere Difficulty No Longer Astounds
45Modern Compositions
46The Most Difficult Compositions
47Praise That Irritates
48Why Not Seek the Beautiful?
49Exercises That Give Immediate Help
50Avoid Too Complicated Exercises