To be an international concert pianist, do you have to be...

[opium_64]

Boring? And not have any pleasure whatsoever? Can't I mix with non musicians? Have I got to be pure in spirit? Or can I be footloose and fancy free, watch the odd porno etc? It seems pretty dull a life if you can't do anything else. As you can tell, I'm working on this career, and I'm pretty depressed right now! 

[ethure]

why did you choose this as your career if you're with these many doubts and depression on it?

[opium_64]

why did you choose this as your career if you're with these many doubts and depression on it?

What bothers me the most is the way elite pianists pretend to be down to Earth and phony. Take Benjamin Grosvenor. An article about him had him as playing Gershwin Rhapsody in Blue. As if someone as gifted and serious a pianist as him would play that! You can't go from playing Liszt  Piano concerto 2 to that. Only if you're an idiot, which he most certainly is not.

[mike_lang]

You can't go from playing Liszt  Piano concerto 2 to that. Only if you're an idiot, which he most certainly is not.

Why not?  What is idiotic about playing both pieces?  (Unless I am misunderstanding your post)

Mike

[mike_lang]

why did you choose this as your career if you're with these many doubts and depression on it?

I think everyone has doubts at some point or another, so let's try to be supportive . . .

To the original poster:

What gave you the impression that you have to lead a completely joyless and/or ascetic life?

Mike

[nyiregyhazi]

What bothers me the most is the way elite pianists pretend to be down to Earth and phony. Take Benjamin Grosvenor. An article about him had him as playing Gershwin Rhapsody in Blue. As if someone as gifted and serious a pianist as him would play that! You can't go from playing Liszt  Piano concerto 2 to that. Only if you're an idiot, which he most certainly is not.

Well he has already performed the piano solo version of the work on various occasions- prior to his performance of the Liszt. So either he's indeed an idiot or it's time for you to reevaluate your logic.