Complaint about the Krystian Zimerman interview on Piano Street

[opium_64]

I don't know what game Zimerman is playing, but as a gifted pianist, I was very insulted to hear that he says he doesn't teach his pupil technique, and he then said something like 'what's technique, you just play the keys'. As a highly serious pianist, I think he should spend his time helping musicians, not giving fake and phony interviews.

[ronde_des_sylphes]

I've not listened to the interview, but it's not that unbelievable. At the level his pupil is presumably at, technique will be taken for granted and the lessons will focus on interpretation and general artistic issues. Liszt also didn't teach technique - it was expected that pupils came with that aspect of pianism fully formed.

[opium_64]

I've not listened to the interview, but it's not that unbelievable. At the level his pupil is presumably at, technique will be taken for granted and the lessons will focus on interpretation and general artistic issues. Liszt also didn't teach technique - it was expected that pupils came with that aspect of pianism fully formed.

Do you honestly think I'm stupid enough to believe that bullshit answer. *** PIano street. It's *** fake.

[nyiregyhazi]

Do you honestly think I'm stupid enough to believe that bullshit answer. *** PIano street. It's *** fake.

Oh dear. While I agree thoroughly with your original post, I think you have some rather important issues to resolve. What don't you believe? Surprisingly enough, Liszt didn't teach a whole lot of beginners.

[opium_64]

Oh dear. While I agree thoroughly with your original post, I think you have some rather important issues to resolve. What don't you believe? Surprisingly enough, Liszt didn't teach a whole lot of beginners.

I DON'T LIKE BEING LIED TO. OK??

[ronde_des_sylphes]

Liszt's view on pupils whose technical preparation was inadequate is a matter of historical record. Watch any masterclass by any famous pianist on youtube, and you won't find them giving lessons on how to play arpeggios, scales, octaves or whatever staple technical aspect - the technical competence of the pupils is not in doubt.

[nyiregyhazi]

I DON'T LIKE BEING LIED TO. OK??

THEN DO SOME RESEARCH ON LISZT'S MASTERCLASSES. WHAT WAS STATED IS WIDELY KNOWN KNOWLEDGE AND IS WIDELY DOCUMENTED IN A VARIETY OF SOURCES. OK??

[opium_64]

THEN DO SOME RESEARCH ON LISZT'S MASTERCLASSES. WHAT WAS STATED IS WIDELY KNOWN KNOWLEDGE AND IS WIDELY DOCUMENTED IN A VARIETY OF SOURCES. OK??

Ok, perhaps I went too far. Forgive me God.

[opium_64]

Liszt's view on pupils whose technical preparation was inadequate is a matter of historical record. Watch any masterclass by any famous pianist on youtube, and you won't find them giving lessons on how to play arpeggios, scales, octaves or whatever staple technical aspect - the technical competence of the pupils is not in doubt.

I don't like the internet.

[perfect_pitch]

Ok, perhaps I went too far. Forgive me God.

I don't think God cares about what you write in a piano forum... Geez - get a grip.

[opium_64]

I don't think God cares about what you write in a piano forum... Geez - get a grip.

Breath in breath out

[thalbergmad]

I have not listened to this interview, but from what I have read it is entirely believable.

Someone like Zimerman is only going to accept advanced pupils and would not want to waste time on pupils who come to him with technical problems.

He ain't going to want to sit with a 5 year old banging out baa baa black sheep.

Thal

[opium_64]

I have not listened to this interview, but from what I have read it is entirely believable.

Someone like Zimerman is only going to accept advanced pupils and would not want to waste time on pupils who come to him with technical problems.

He ain't going to want to sit with a 5 year old banging out baa baa black sheep.

Thal

Why did he say you don't need technique, just play the keys? He's lying!

[pianowolfi]

He ain't going to want to sit with a 5 year old banging out baa baa black sheep.

Thal

Those are actually okay. But those people who are like 12 or even 16 and behave like a 5y. old banging out baa baa black sheep....Arrghh

[Derek]

Why did he say you don't need technique, just play the keys? He's lying!

I wonder if all he means is that there are few truly generic techniques which, if practiced, will improve all of your playing at once. It may improve some things, but the number of things that can happen physically while playing pieces of a wide variety of idioms is so vast, that each one (in other words, each highly individual physical challenge in a given piece) must be practiced in great detail as a technique unto itself.  That's just my guess though.

[zolaxi]

Do you honestly think I'm stupid enough to believe that bullshit answer.

Yes! Absolutely.