Curious Pianist's Gestures

[Joy]

In regards to certain pianists being criticized by some for their physical gestures while on stage (Andre Watts being among one of them) there has been a discussion on classical radio about this recently. Andre Watts take on it "The piano is a percussion instrument, and the great Joseph Hoffman said it so wonderfully "you know, we're all playing a percussion instrument, and we're trying to make it sing." Do you know, the minute we play a note, it starts to decay. I think all the mannerisms...no, I don't think, I KNOW all the mannerisms are a compensation. I think that if I were able to produce at will what I would like to hear, I would have no mannerisms whatsoever."

If interested to read more about this subject check out

http://performancetoday.publicradio.org/ (scroll down, left side)

[Peter]

I'll check that out tomorrow Joy, sounds interesting and got me thinking about Glenn Gould!

[Joy]

That's who I was thinking of too. Glenn Gould's got the humming and these guys got the quirky gestures!

[Angel]

this is interesting stuff...

[Chris]

I was also thinking of Gould.

[Peter]

That's who I was thinking of too. Glenn Gould's got the humming and these guys got the quirky gestures!

He had the quirky gestures as well with a chair so low that he was practically on the floor - a humming contortionist!

[Chris]

But with Gould, it was pretty clear that his crazy movement was not pretentious or a diliberate grab for attention, like I suspect it is with some artists. He gave up performance after a point, so that was clearly not what he cared about. In fact, I'd say he played almost totally for himself and wasn't all that concerned about who else was listening.

[Quijote]

Regarding 'performance mannerisms' and so on : these of course are not just the domain of pianists. Many string players affect the same. Most times they are genuine; some are 'acquired' (emulating great performers); some are totally false. I think we know when they are genuine (meaning spontaneous). I have no idea of course, but I would bet a fair sum on Beethoven being a 'gestural' player par excellence.

[Sorrano]

Regarding 'performance mannerisms' and so on : these of course are not just the domain of pianists. Many string players affect the same. Most times they are genuine; some are 'acquired' (emulating great performers); some are totally false. I think we know when they are genuine (meaning spontaneous). I have no idea of course, but I would bet a fair sum on Beethoven being a 'gestural' player par excellence.

Seems that there are a few anecdotes regarding his conducting in that regards. Not sure if this was an "urban legend" or not, but I recall something about him terrorizing a candle holder with wild gestures while playing/conducting one of his own piano concerti.

[Peter]

Loved the Olli Mustonen video - at times it looks like he has 2 pairs of arms!

[Quijote]

Seems that there are a few anecdotes regarding his conducting in that regards. Not sure if this was an "urban legend" or not, but I recall something about him terrorizing a candle holder with wild gestures while playing/conducting one of his own piano concerti.

Indeed. Or as the French like to say : "En effet".

[Quijote]

But with Gould, it was pretty clear that his crazy movement was not pretentious or a diliberate grab for attention, like I suspect it is with some artists. He gave up performance after a point, so that was clearly not what he cared about. In fact, I'd say he played almost totally for himself and wasn't all that concerned about who else was listening.

En effet (French), Chris. I'm sure you would be most annoyed that Beethoven was very probably a "moaner" when playing (à la Gould, à la Serkin, à la Casals, and many many more). So, why not stop moaning and enjoy the spontaneity of the moment, what music surely is. No? I can think of no suitable icon to add at this juncture.

[Chris]

En effet (French), Chris. I'm sure you would be most annoyed that Beethoven was very probably a "moaner" when playing (à la Gould, à la Serkin, à la Casals, and many many more). So, why not stop moaning and enjoy the spontaneity of the moment, what music surely is. No? I can think of no suitable icon to add at this juncture.

What the heck are you talking about?

[Michael]

What the heck are you talking about?

If I said that I didn't think I would be disinclined not to disagree with Philip, Chris, I would probably be wrong.

[Joy]

If I said that I didn't think I would be disinclined not to disagree with Philip, Chris, I would probably be wrong.

That sounds like a lot of double negatives there!