Performance style

[Pianist03]

I was talking to one of my friends (a saxophonist, if that makes a difference) and he and his professor which he doesnt agree with at times, said that when you are playing a piece, whatever it is, that if 50 saxes play it, it should sound exactly the same.  The only differences would be their timbre, or tone.
  Although, I heard that with pianists, you could have a bunch play, say, the moonlight sonata and it would sound different (as for me, anyhow).  Is that the wrong assumption, or what?  

I think the trend today is that we are to play pieces as close to the composer's intentions as possible, yet you must sound 'different', so that you're not sounding like a regeritated (sp?), mechanical, CD?  They say to put yourself in the performance, as that's what makes us unique....some would have a scale going upward and cres., even though it's not written, yet understood..while others would not do it, since it's not written in (by the composer)...

So, is he right?  I can see how it is supposed to sound the same, (since you're following the dynamic markings and everything) but I don't think it comes off that way...

[donjuan]

I think one needs to ask themselves if they are playing "in style".  I believe a good performer will keep the Rhythm and phrasing the same.  They will pay close attention to slur indications.  But I think for a performer to be truly excellent, they need to put in something of their own, to show they are different. (For example, they would play an A major section of a piece with lots of Rubato, even if it isn't indicated...)  Afterall, what is the point of performing something if there are multitudes of others who can play exactly the same.
donjuan

[bannatyne]

Please could you clarify what you meant by 'Amaj section should be played with lots of rubato', or was that a joke? :-/

[A.C.]

I think what we are discussing here is some kind of aesthetic philosophy. In my opinion, trying to be stylish isn't a bad thing to do. Nonetheless, there should also be a struggle, more or less unconscious, between the creator and the interpreter, which is almost unevitable. Never be centered in oneself.

To be frank, if everyone plays exactly the same thing, there is no art. However, once you give your performance, you can never play the same thing again.
Therefore art is abstract too; thus there is no perfection in art.

Every pianist has their own backgrounds (i.e. cultures, friends, knowledges, etc.), so they must have different understanding in music. That is also why they will never play the same. In the end, my advice is:

"Play what it sounds right."

[donjuan]

Please could you clarify what you meant by 'Amaj section should be played with lots of rubato', or was that a joke? :-/

Ok, well right now, im working on Schubert-Liszt: Soirees de Vienne No.6.  During one passage, the key of the music changes from A Maj to D Min, to DFlat Maj, and back to A Maj.  Now, there is no indication for Rubato anywhere nearby, and all I was saying is that an example of a personal touch, one would add would be to play everything in strict time, but play the A Maj sections with lots of rubato.  This is making the music your own, while still communicating the meaning of the music, following the intentions of the composer.

pls tell me you understand now?
donjuan  

[donjuan]

or was that a joke? :-/

i dont get it...