Henrich Neuhaus

[zhiliang]

Hi,

Have anyone read the book "On Piano Playing" by Henrich Neuhaus? I have heard of it before and am wondering whether its worth getting it online since the book cannot be found anyone?

Is the book very helpful? Is it recommendable? Or your opinions on it?

Zhiliang

[zhiliang]

Sorry, i think the title is "The Art Of Piano Playing".

Zhiliang

[Saturn]

It is definitely worth reading (but maybe not worth buying).

Try check at your local library first, or any university libraries you have nearby.  You should definitely be able to find the book at one of those places.

If you want to buy it, AmazonUK sells it.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/1871082455/qid=977623251/202-4240586-4982228

- Saturn

[cziffra777]

In my opinion, it's the best book ever written on piano playing. As the previous poster said, you can get it from amazon.co.uk, which is where I got my copy.

[zhiliang]

It is definitely worth reading (but maybe not worth buying).

Try check at your local library first, or any university libraries you have nearby.  You should definitely be able to find the book at one of those places.

If you want to buy it, AmazonUK sells it.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/1871082455/qid=977623251/202-4240586-4982228

- Saturn

Not worth buying due to the price of it, or the amount of information available in it?

I heard that many Russian pianists treat this book like the bible.

Zhiliang

[Saturn]

Not worth buying due to the price of it, or the amount of information available in it?

I heard that many Russian pianists treat this book like the bible.

Zhiliang

Whether it's worth buying depends on what you're looking for in a piano book, and how much money you're willing to spend.

It couldn't hurt to take a look at the book before you buy it.

[zhiliang]

Whether it's worth buying depends on what you're looking for in a piano book, and how much money you're willing to spend.

It couldn't hurt to take a look at the book before you buy it.

Hi Saturn,

In Singapore, books on piano technique are really rare in our libraries. We have many local libraries that have books on composers and we have a Arts Library specially for music or performing arts at our Esplanade concert hall. In it, the number of books on piano technique is less than 10. What i have found there is Gyorgy Sandor's "On Piano Playing" (i found quite helpful), Boris Berman "From The Pianist's Bench" (again very insightful on the visual description of sound and touch), Josef Hoffman's book (i forgot the title but found it quite lacking in many things, it seems to only contain the very basic and simple stuff), the Walter Gisesking book (where it talks a lot about analysing a piece) and finally Dean Elder's "Pianist At Play" (contains many articles on interviews, masterclasses, techinical regimes of many famous pianists which i found tons of information in the numerous articles).

So roughly you get an idea of what i am looking for in that book. Its not availble for a look through, thats why i try to sought help on this much recommended book. It costs USD 32.50 when i order online and USD 7.95 for delivery. The price is expensive in Singapore's standard but i wouldnt mind if it's good.

Thanks

Zhiliang

[brewtality]

what's up with the pricing of music in Singapore? my dad just came back from there and told me that they were selling the art of piano dvd for $60! whilst its $30 here and our exchange rate is basically 1:1

[zhiliang]

I really do not know. It could be due to the extra charges in importing the items and the low demand over here.

So classical music dvds and cds actually costs more than other countries. I think only UK is charging at a higher price. Correct me if i am wrong.

Zhiliang

[cziffra]

This is a brilliant book.  The only problem is it reads like a transcript of a masterclass, it's very continuous and vocal.  Other than that, it has MANY really important concepts and so on in it.

[will]

Zhiliang,  I agree with cziffra that the book is very continous and vocal. I didn't find the book as well organised as the Sandor book you mentioned, which is very clearly setout and gives you definite aims and elements of technique to practice at the end of each chapter.
  I found it hard to incorporate many of the concepts Neuhaus talks about into my playing as the writing is at times all over the place.  
  I also found some of the English translations a bit clumsy and confusing. Overall it's certainly worthy of a read but I wouldn't buy it.

[ronald]

If you want to study with a former pupil of Neuhaus you have great opportunity at Masterclasses on www.kubalekpianocourses.com . Maestro Zdenek Hnat is winner of Prague Spring Competition and he is most renowned teacher in Czech Republic. And Mr. Antonin Kubalek from Canada was friend and well-adored collegue of Glenn Gould.
I got a big scholarchip for this event! I think you'll get it, too... Just visit the website or write me pohl.r@centrum.cz
Ronald