Communicating musically over accuracy?

[annrach3]

Communicating musically is more important than accuracy-- is this what you believe too?

My teacher said yes.

[krenske]

well.... put it this way... id rather hear cortot bugger-up his chopin nicely, than some closet virtuoso nailing it like only a computer could. The funny thing is that even "uneducated" audiences these days know what "right notes" are [from CDs] and they'll probably be looking for that.
I think today you might just have to have BOTH  

[allchopin]

There are exceptions- I would rather hear a virtuosic etude played perfectly without feeling than one with feeling and wrong notes.  The reason is that anyone can mess up- but not everyone can play an etude absolutely perfectly accurately, and I respect that ability highly.  Feeling should always accompany virtuosity however (of course), but virtuosity is what makes an etude cool.

[Dave_2004_G]

It's more important up to a certain extent, but if you're making so many mistakes that it becomes uncomfortable to listen to then they won't be able to concentrate properly on your expression

Dave

[eddie92099]

I cannot remember who it was, but some well known pianist said "I would rather have Horowitz's wrong notes than my right ones",
Ed

[krenske]

but virtuosity is what makes an etude cool.

Thanks allchopin.. i'll have to defer to your definition on this one

[annrach3]

 Feeling should always accompany virtuosity however (of course), but virtuosity is what makes an etude cool.

Ok, so you are talking about Etudes, how about other music oeuvres?

[allchopin]

Etudes are just the genre that I would be most leniant with as far as musicality.  If someone, however, played a Ballade monotonously, then I would notice (however, I have never actually heard anyone play like this before- I guess it would come as a real surprise!)  Rubinstein often missed notes to "sacrifice" for his sheer musicality, and obviously, this worked.  People loved him for it.  I think that as an up-and-comer into the musical world, accuracy is very important as a first impression.  Then, as people realize your abilities, you can become a little more lax and release your innermost passions (lol).  What is more important is what you think of your playing- if you have your own style then chances are that at least one other person in the world agrees with you completely with your interpretation.  Try to meet, then breach, your own standards/goals.