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By: Reginald R. Gerig
Price $27.95 - ISBN 0-88331-212-3
This book is currently out of print.
Ever since Cristofori constructed his forte-piano, composers and performers have searched for the best ways to produce tone on the instrument. Because the piano differs vastly in range and intensity from its keyboard relatives, techniques developed for organ, harpsichord and clavichord do not necessarily transfer to the piano. As the instrument was perfected mechanically, pianists tried through various approaches and exercises to "perfect" the hand. Virtually every renowned pianist had some thoughts on the matter; those who didn't write such thoughts down at least discussed them with those who did.
Reginald Gerig has drawn together these writings and incorporated them chronologically and geographically in Famous Pianists and Their Technique. Here are summaries and little known excerpts from the works of C. P. E. Bach, Bartok, Bauer, Beethoven, Brahms, Breithaupt, Cage, Chopin, Clementi, Czerny, Debussy, Deppe, Fay, Godowsky, Horowitz, Hummel, Levinskaya, Leschetizky, the Lhevinnes, Liszt, Long, Matthay, Mozart, Ortmann, Prokofiev, Ravel, Rubinstein, Schubert, the Schumanns, Schultz, Townsend, Virgil, Whiteside, and others--as well as the adventures of the less deservedly famous.
Rich in original material, this book will help student and teacher to gain perspective in tcchnical development. It adds a valuable dimension to music literature in its highly readable interpretations of thoughts on touching the keyboard through the centuries. In his large bibliography, Gerig directs the reader to original and often obscure or unexpected sources.
Famous Pianists and Their Technique is unique in piano literature, and is a valuable source book for the inquiring student of music.
