Re: Does Russian School teach articulation and sty

[bernhard]

For 3 years I studied with a Russian teacher, who is a very convincing performer.  He grew up in the Moscow Conservetory of Music.  I feel that I learned a lot from him about generalities.  He also introduced me to 'intonatsiia'.  However, his biggest goal for me seemed to be in getting me to open up and play from my soul, which did get accomplished (gratefuly).  It is his philosophy that all that really matters in a performance is whether or not you touch the audience, which he does himself.   Now I am studying with a teacher who has had many different teachers with very respectable backgrounds.  I have learned so much from her about style and articulation, however, I find that I have a more difficult time really connecting with the music.

In thinking back to my lessons with my Russian teacher, I wonder why I was never taught by him about articulation and style as they relate to eachother.  Does Russian School teach this?  What is the main objective in Russian School?

I wonder now, as a teacher, what should be my main goal for my students as performers and musicians?

m1469

I cannot tell you (no one except your teacher can) why he taught you certain things and not others. He may have decided that your articulation was good enough and the area you were lacking was expressivity. Likewise, your new teacher may consider that now you have more than enough expressivity but is lacking in articulation. Maybe your first teacher was bored with teaching articulation and felt that you maight as well learn it by yourself and vice versa with the other teacher.

Above all, I would not attach to much importance to "Russian School" or "French School" or whatever. Nationality does not determine a teacher's style. If they claim so, most likely they are doing it for marketing reasons.

But your last question interests me.

I would say that your main goal as a teacher is to find out what is your student's goal and if you think you can, facilitate the achievement of your student's goals in any way you can, using any tool from any "school" at your disposal.

I hope this helps.

Best wishes,
Bernhard.

[kulahola]

Yes indeed Russian School pays a lot attention to articulation.
There is  still huge difference in teaching between the different schools, French, Russian, Chinese for instance.
You can see it right away when you here children and pre teens playing.
It is more difficult to see with professional because if they are professional, it means that they have a good school behing which has to be Russian even if their teacher is actually from another country, he will probably havec some Russian blood in this hands, piano speaking.