Being "Too Clean"?

[jam8086]

It seems to me that a problem among pianists today is that many of them sound the same, and that sound is usually extremely clean, because they are all trying to find that same ideal tone.  This is typically looked at as a good thing, but to the degree that pianists do it today, it just seems unnatural.  One of the things people always try to avoid today is a harsh tone, but I think one's tone actually should be harsh sometimes, even in Mozart (he does have some very dark moments).

I just think that maybe striving for such an ideal tone sometimes results in an unnatural tone.

Anyone else?

[henrah]

You're right, sometimes the time calls for a harsh tone. But what exactly do you mean by harsh? When you say harsh, I think of a sharp, stingy chord, but that's not relating to tone.

I think this is the Clara Schumann syndrome is it not?

[nick]

I love "clean" playing if you mean clear and accurate. Too much of the same sound in playing could either mean everyone has a great interpretation, or lacking in musical expression.

Nick

[donjuan]

It seems to me that a problem among pianists today is that many of them sound the same, and that sound is usually extremely clean, because they are all trying to find that same ideal tone. This is typically looked at as a good thing, but to the degree that pianists do it today, it just seems unnatural. One of the things people always try to avoid today is a harsh tone, but I think one's tone actually should be harsh sometimes, even in Mozart (he does have some very dark moments).

I just think that maybe striving for such an ideal tone sometimes results in an unnatural tone.

Anyone else?

I agree.  Too many people are trying to play like Marc Andre Hamelin, when they would find it much more rewarding to play like themselves.

Benno Moiseiwitsch's discussion is very interesting to read here:
https://www.arbiterrecords.com/musicresourcecenter/moiseiwitsch.html
(thanks to motrax for bringing up this link in another thread)