We bang steinways?

[werq34ac]

So one of the criticisms one offers to pianists is that they are "bangy."

I was wondering if bangy could ever be good? Like certain pieces?

Should all of our loud chords be beautiful?

[chauncey]

I think this is a really subjective topic, but personally I do believe "bangy" can be good. For an example, "bangy" works well in Tchaikovsky's Piano Concerto no. 1 (especially the first few measures of the piano score), Rachmaninov's prelude in G minor, and several other pieces.

Should all of our loud chords be beautiful?

There would be many opinions on that.. I would say yes. But I'm not really sure what you mean by "beautiful"..maybe I'm just over thinking it..

[j_menz]

It seems to be a requirement in anything that's very plinky.

[thalbergmad]

Excellently put Sir.

Thal

[ahinton]

Excellently put Sir.

Somehow the words "set" and "up" come to mind when reading the previous post...

As wealthy people are (or were once) colloquially said to be "in the pink", would you say that wealthy composers (assuming there to be any) could be described as being "in the plink"?

Best,

Alistair

[thalbergmad]

would you say that wealthy composers (assuming there to be any) could be described as being "in the plink"?

Well, I am only a poor beginner composer trying to make a living from my compositions, so I am not "in the plink" myself.

Back to the topic, I think banging can be exciting if executed correctly.

Thal

[ahinton]

Well, I am only a poor beginner composer trying to make a living from my compositions, so I am not "in the plink" myself.

Back to the topic, I think banging can be exciting if executed correctly.

I can imagine few worthwhile circumstances in which it is preferable to playing at suitably high volume without banging, but why Steinways in particular, I wonder?

Best,

Alistair

[werq34ac]

I can imagine few worthwhile circumstances in which it is preferable to playing at suitably high volume without banging, but why Steinways in particular, I wonder?

Best,

Alistair

Just for the purposes of humor. We bang steinways is a pianists' joke because we tend to have one night stands with our instruments while other instrumentalists have long term relationships. As for why steinways, it's probably just because it's the most well known brand of piano (is it?). Humor is more effective for some reason when you use brand names rather than the actual object. I can't think of an example right now, but comedians tend to use brand names a lot in their jokes.

[j_menz]

[W]ould you say that wealthy composers (assuming there to be any) could be described as being "in the plink"?

I think the less "in the plink" they are, the better their chance of being wealthy.

[ahinton]

Just for the purposes of humor. We bang steinways is a pianists' joke because we tend to have one night stands with our instruments while other instrumentalists have long term relationships. As for why steinways, it's probably just because it's the most well known brand of piano (is it?). Humor is more effective for some reason when you use brand names rather than the actual object. I can't think of an example right now, but comedians tend to use brand names a lot in their jokes.

I suppose Irving Berlin's song I Love a Piano might fit the case here, with its line I know a fine way to treat a Steinway...

Best,

Alistair

[ahinton]

I think the less "in the plink" they are, the better their chance of being wealthy.

I was asking Thal, actually, but, since he's yet to answer and you have responded, it would therefore seem that, for you, the answer is "no".

Maybe composers who develop serious liver problems plink too much...

Best,

Alistair

[ajspiano]

Maybe composers who develop serious liver problems plink too much...

Best,

Alistair

I would've called that breed of musician a "plink plonker"

AJ