The Art of Piano Playing

by Heinrich Neuhaus, KA Leibovitch (Translator)

Overview

Neuhaus taught at the Moscow Conservatory and his pupils included some of the greatest pianists of the twentieth century: Emil Gilels, Sviatoslav Richter, Nina Svetlanova, Alexei Lubimov and Radu Lupu. His legacy continues today and many teachers around the world regard this book as the most authoritative on the subject of piano playing.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781871082456
Publisher:	Kahn & Averill Publishers
Publication date:	12/31/2016
Edition description:	New
Pages:	256
Sales rank:	914,677
Product dimensions:	5.40(w) x 8.40(h) x 0.70(d)

About the Author

Heinrich Neuhaus was born in 1888 in Elisavetgrad in central Ukraine (now Kirovograd) into a family of musicians. His mother, Olga Blumenfeld, was sister of Felix Blumenfeld, a distinguished pianist, conductor and teacher. Horovitz was one of his most famous pupils. Through his maternal grandmother he was related to Karol Szymanowski who became a lifelong friend. Heinrich Neuhaus was, strictly speaking, self-taught, and the main formative influence on his musical development came from Felix Blumenfeld. He made his first public appearance at the age of eleven, playing some Chopin Waltzes and an Impromptu. In 1902 he accompanied Misha Elman in a recital in Elisavetgrad. His first solo recitals took place in Germany and Italy while studying under Godowsky, in Berlin and Vienna. He returned to Russia at the outbreak of the First World War. In 1922 he began teaching at the Moscow Conservatoire and helped to create in 1932 the famous Moscow Central Music School for specially gifted children. From 1934 to 1937 he was Director of the Moscow Conservatoire, a post he relinquished so as to be able to devote himself entirely to teaching. Amongst his pupils were Radu Lupu, Emil Gilels and Sviatoslav Richter who called him and artist of unique genius, a great teacher and friend. Seldom have artistic gifts been so closely matched by the qualities of selfless devotion, deep humanity, true culture and a great capacity for bestowing and winning friendship. He died on 10th October 1964. This book bears witness to his achievements as a man, musician and teacher.

Table of Contents

Introduction Preface to Second Edition In Lieu of a Preface 1. The Artistic Image of a Musical Composition 2. A Word or Two about Rhythm 3. On Tone 4. On Technique 4.1 General Considerations 4.2 Confidence as a Basis for Freedom 4.3 The Locomotor System 4.4 On Freedom 4.5 On Fingering 4.6 The Pedal 5. Teacher and Pupil 6. Concert Activity 7. In Conclusion Index

Editorial Reviews

"If you love the piano, this book is almost as important as a good edition of the Beethoven sonatas and the Well-Tempered Clavier. A student of Leopold Godowsky and the teacher of Richter and Gilels, Mr. Neuhaus put together a very inspiring, almost revelatory book on the loftier spiritual and intellectual aspects of playing the piano. I recommend it wholeheartedly."

From the Publisher