Famous pianists without perfect pitch

[sevencircles]

You often see lists with pianists that has got perfect pitch but rarely hear about famous pianists  that  haven´t got perfect pitch.

It seems like very few of them admit in public that they haven´t got the worlds best pitch.

What famous pianists do you know for sure can´t recognise notes when they hear them?

[krystellle]

martha argerich.  Or so she says.

[sevencircles]

martha argerich.  Or so she says.

Remarkable that she could learn Prokofievs third concerto by ear while trying to fall asleep. She even copied her roommates mistakes.

[perfect_pitch]

It's impossible to learn a piece of music while you're asleep. I tried that quite a few times. Woke up without really knowing the melody. Once you fall asleep - the last thing your brains wants to do is decipher notes and memorise them.

[krystellle]

Remarkable that she could learn Prokofievs third concerto by ear while trying to fall asleep. She even copied her roommates mistakes.

I know.  And she tells both tales in practically the same breath.  I have my doubts.

[sevencircles]

It's impossible to learn a piece of music while you're asleep. I tried that quite a few times. Woke up without really knowing the melody. Once you fall asleep - the last thing your brains wants to do is decipher notes and memorise them.

For most people it is, There are some people in pianohistory that could learn so quickly that it has to be seen to be believed though.

The young Josef Hofmann, John Ogdon and Art Tatum belonged to that category. 

Maybe Argerich might belong to that ballpark as well.

[perfect_pitch]

For most people it is, There are some people in pianohistory that could learn so quickly that it has to be seen to be believed though

I doubt it. I have perfect pitch and can listen to pieces, and learn them with no trouble at all, but I spent a week listening to a Simple Beethoven Bagatelle over and over while I slept - once I fell asleep - the brain stopped listening.

I seriously doubt it's true - it's a myth.

[sevencircles]

I doubt it. I have perfect pitch and can listen to pieces, and learn them with no trouble at all, but I spent a week listening to a Simple Beethoven Bagatelle over and over while I slept - once I fell asleep - the brain stopped listening.

I seriously doubt it's true - it's a myth.

It seems unlikely I have to agree.

Now Back to the original question.

I don´t know many famous classical pianists that stated that they don´t have perfect pitch actually.

I have heard that Pogorelich and Brendel don´t have it though, don´t know if they mentioned it in any interview.