Cziffra, Gould, and Composition

[efhaddad88]

Now I have a question that has been bothering me for some time, being both an amateur composer and pianist who is entirely self-taught.

Why do the great pianists like Cziffra or Gould, who can play the masters like the masters played themselves, not compose themselves? We call these guys geniuses, but it seems that the powers of a genius are pretty wasted without contributing to music itself. Am I alone in thinking this?

I've discovered some great improvisations by Cziffra,

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Any ideas from pro's out there, struggling composers, etc?


I think the reason why I am mildly angry is because I decided to learn the piano at 18 because I loved classical music and wanted to compose. I spent so much time, and finally, at 23, I can play reasonably well, but I don't play sheet music, but merely improvise, and sometimes write it down. I feel like, if I, a humble amateur can do it, why the hell didn't those guys?

[bachbrahmsschubert]

I know this may be strange to hear, but not every musician desires to compose music.

Gould wrote a string quartet, by the way. He actually desired to compose more before he got sick and died.

Simply because one is a great pianist does not mean they know how to compose music. It's almost an entirely different art. Personally, I do not enjoy writing music, but I love doodling while at the piano; I wouldn't even call it improvisation.