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Topic: Pollini's technique overrated? (Read 3203 times)

cloches_de_geneve

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Pollini's technique overrated?

on: March 01, 2006, 04:56:31 PM

According to some earlier statements on this forum, Pollini's technique is overrated.
Overrated?? Here's a little bit of history. In 1960, at age 18, he won the Chopin Competition in Warsaw in which candidates have to present 4 of the Chopin Etudes. Pollini choose (in this order): op. 25/10; op. 25/11; op 10/1; op 10/10.

To play 95% of all of the 1203 notes of the RH in 10/1 accurately at the indicated speed is already an incredible, near miraculous achivement (no wonder Horowitz considered it the most difficult of all the chopin etudes). How many notes did Pollini miss in his Warsaw competition performance? Half a dozen. About 10 years ago I heard him live, playing Stravinsky's even harder Petrushka. It was just a breathtaking performance, impetuous and incredibly accurate at the same time. No, I am sorry, Pollini has been one of the greatest technicians of the 20th century.

That today, at the age of 64, he is no longer the master he used to be can hardly be held against him. Also, he was and is capricious, some of his performances are really bad. But then, the same thing could be said of many legendary pianists including Richter. It does not change my earlier statement.

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henrah

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Re: Pollini's technique overrated?

Reply #1 on: March 01, 2006, 05:21:55 PM

Every pianist is overrated by somebody. Someone who doesn't think as highly of Pollini as you do would think you are overrating him. Therefore it is kind of like art: it is what you make of it.

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gruffalo

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Re: Pollini's technique overrated?

Reply #2 on: March 01, 2006, 05:22:31 PM

i wouldnt argue against his technique, but i really dont like his chopin etudes. technically, yes i think they are great but i hardly musical. i know they are studies, but they require flavour aswell. i havent heard anymore of his Chopin though.

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mikey6

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Re: Pollini's technique overrated?

Reply #3 on: March 02, 2006, 08:18:17 AM

I heard him live in Munich in December and I can say that there is nothing wrong with his technique as far as right notes go.

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maxy

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Re: Pollini's technique overrated?

Reply #4 on: March 03, 2006, 05:30:58 AM

the little worms we are, compared to Pollini, should not be allowed to say anything against his technique.

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sevencircles

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Re: Pollini's technique overrated?

Reply #5 on: March 03, 2006, 07:53:35 AM

Anyone have a liverecording of him playing Boulez 2 ?

The score of that piece did scare me more then anything by Alkan.

I would like to hear how he executes his remarkable cadenza in Bartok 2 live too.

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Piano Street Magazine:
Remembering the great Maurizio Pollini

Legendary pianist Maurizio Pollini defined modern piano playing through a combination of virtuosity of the highest degree, a complete sense of musical purpose and commitment that works in complete control of the virtuosity. His passing was announced by Milan’s La Scala opera house on March 23. Read more

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Topic: Pollini's technique overrated? (Read 3203 times)

Piano Street Magazine:Remembering the great Maurizio Pollini

Piano Street Magazine:
Remembering the great Maurizio Pollini