George Kochevitsky

[PaulNaud]

I am going to quote George Kochevitsky: "...while practicing fingers should be raised to obtain the most distinct sensations from their action, but only as much as needed for this purpose. As a rule, the first joint of the finger should never be raised higher than the back of the palm: higher raising would cause overstrain of the muscles concerned. What is important is strong, active finger work, since we receive much weaker sensations from weak movements than from strong ones. A slight pressure into the key after its full depression is recommended in slow practicing. Tactile sensations as well sensations from finger muscle contractions will be strengthened in this way."

I don't know if he is contradicting himself, but 2 paragraphs further he tells us this: " Therefore, among several varieties of practice for finger articulation, the following is the best: first, fingers are prepared on the keys to be pressed. Each finger then presses with a light downward movement only,never leaving its key. (Thus the size of finger movement is equal to the depth of the key.) And playing proceedes very slowly, pianissimo, with the whole attention concentrated on the fingertips. The downward movement of one finger must be synchronized with the movement of the preceeding finger as it lets its key rise. At the lightest sensation of fatigue in the upper parts of the arm, this practice should be stopped."

Is this the Neuhaus system? Thesis-Antithesis-Synthesis.
I would like to have Marik's advice, if possible, or somebody who studied in the russian system of piano playing.
Thanks
Paul