Recommended Book: Famous Pianists and Their Technique by R. Gerig
Famous Pianists and Their Technique has been a standard in the field since its first publication in 1974. This widely used and acclaimed history of piano technical thought includes insights into the techniques of masters such as C.P.
E. Bach, Bartók, Beethoven, Brahms, Chopin, Clementi, Czerny, Debussy, Godowsky, Horowitz, Levinskaya, Leschetizky, the Lhevinnes, Liszt, Mozart, Prokofiev, Ravel, Rubinstein, and Schubert, among others.
Called “the bible of piano technique” by Maurice Hinson, this book is a comprehensive resource for the student, teacher, and professional pianist who seek to discover the secrets of how the immortal pianists developed and polished their mechanical and musical technique. This expanded edition contains a foreword by Alan Walker, a new preface, and multiple new appendices.
“… the expanded part of Gerig’s book [is] so impressive that this section by itself is worth more than the price of the book. Just one of the cross- referenced ideas would be enough to spur a thesis, dissertation, or lecture- recital…. Scholars will not be disappointed at the array of obscure facts and hard-to-locate bibliography. Pedagogues will relish this text as an indispensable reference for their courses and daily work. Pianists will be able to constantly refer and return to their historical heritage. Gerig’s book has not only withstood the test of time, but will continue to do so.” – Piano Journal
Comments
If you’re only going to own one survey of the history of technical thought from Bach on, this is the one to get. I have had a chance to browse the expanded ed., but even the original ed., now 35+ yrs old, has never been completely superceded. A must-have for all serious lovers of the history of piano playing..
I own this book, and I love it! If anything, there is too much info here. You will never run out of material for consideration–always something new, unique, inspiring, at time controversial. I cannot think of a better resource if you really want to dig deep into the mysteries of piano technique. Pianists, piano teachers, piano music lovers: do yourselves a favor, and buy this book! You will not regret it!
This book is extraordinary interesting for it´s very deep analysis of piano technics. And for me especially the content linked to Muzio Clementi and his friends. Thanks for a nice book.
Mr Bengt Hultman
Chairman of the Swedish Clementi Society
Umea
Sweden
I use the book called Pianists at Play by Dean Elder. He actually interviewed all great pianists including Gisekingm his tescher. But I will buy this book too.
I bought this book and closely scanned it. IMO it is pedantic and besotted with artificial and pretentious analysis of aspects of playing notes; arm position, elbows in or out, fingers curved the “right way,” body position, and so forth, with mechanical attributes or “proper” placement of the human equipment and dusty theories of the romantic era. This misses the mark as it concerns the unexplainable and unteachable theories of various academic, conservative and hidebound “athletic” methods.
Who can explain Horowitz’ utterly flat-fingered approach; Glenn Gould’s very low wreck of a near collapsed chair supporting him in a slumped position, along with humming and self-conducting. Then there are the small hands of Idil Biret and Josef Hoffmann (I still can’t remember those consonants). JH requiring suitably narrower keys in a specially built instrument.
Each pianist has developed his own idiosyncratic way of playing, position and stance, and it is asking too much for this to be put into words as one would fail at equally developing an artistic manual of classical dance, or how to sing a high note. Probably one on one lessons plus self-analysis is the only way to achieve anything in this complex field
I agree with “nearenough” wholeheartedly.