Who's King of Grimacing?

[stucoy]

Okay, I've had enough of this. Everyone talks about Lang Lang, but I think Alexander Toradze is the King of Grimacing. I remember seeing him play the Prokofiev 3rd at the Proms a few years ago, and I'd never seen anything like it - turning bright red, sweat dripping off the end of his nose like a dripping tap, lifting off the piano stool when playing loud chords, and grimacing like a six-month-old baby sucking on a lemon. Is Toradze King? Or is it Lang Lang? Or is it someone else? (Classical pianinsts only, so no Keith Jarrett).

[pita bread]

Oh my god, I've heard so much about Toradze in performance but have never witnessed it myself. I'll pay such good money to see him do Rach 3 or Prok 2 in concert...

[jre58591]

katsaris has some hilarious facials. check out his vid of the chopin 3rd sonata on youtube.

[cloches_de_geneve]

Actually, Michelangeli and Brendel would be good candidates for the grimacing award too 

[Motrax]

Michelangeli? He looks like a stone statue in that Scarlatti video...

My non-Lang Lang vote () goes to Fazil Say. His facial contortionism brings new meaning to the word "grimace."

[counterpoint]

Looking at their faces, one could think, many pianists are masochists. 

[moi_not_toi]

Richter playing Winter Wind.
He looks as if HE should be the king of grimacing.

[rlefebvr]

I don't know about the others, but when I used to play classical guitar, I would stick my tongue out.

Now, ask me how many dates I got out of that!!!

[moi_not_toi]

I don't know about the others, but when I used to play classical guitar, I would stick my tongue out.

Now, ask me how many dates I got out of that!!!

Same thing happens to me on rare occasions.
Especially when I'm tired.