Czerny - a waste of time?

[m]

The problems with extreme habits is that you can't tell whether you would get the same results if you were less extreme. It's the Chanteecleer story. Everyone believe the sun will not raise if the rooster doesn't crow because none of them as ever seen him not doing it, until he misses it once and everyone realize the sun raises anyway.
This is typical into sport in which athletes loves to claim extreme trainings that are not the reason why they're "good" but something they're good in spite of.
I'm pretty sure the person who practice 10 hours would see same results with less practice because since a certain moment the brain and neuromuscular system stops learning and goes into rest/process phase whether we want it or not.

I won't argue here, as I believe in what you are saying. On the other hand, I cannot take your words as truth because I know quite a few compulsive practicers who spend many hours next to the piano. If I did not know the hights they have reached in piano playing I'd believe you.

But...

On the other hand who are we to judge such people as S. Rachmaninov, S. Richter, A. Michelangeli, I. Pogorelich, S. Babayan? How can we respond to I. Friedman's passage about practicing Chopin op.25no.6 for 18 years?
How many hours I. Wunder spent before playing Chopin Op.10/2 like that,

etc, etc, etc.

The logic fails ones we start talking about unique people.

[m]

Nightingale,

I am awaiting for your reply--you dropped the topic right in the middle.

Also, I am still awaiting for Bernhards reply about "faulty Cortot's techinique" from about a  year ago.
If you are in touch with Bernhard, please let him know .

Best, M