Richard Goode

[chopiabin]

I just saw Richard Goode play Beethoven's Emperor concerto, the 6th Bach Partita, some Schoenberg, Beethoven's sonata in Emajor op. 109 (absolutely transcendental playing), and the whole first book of Debussy's preludes (Le cathedral engloutie was amazing even though I don't like Debussy). I thought he was an incredible pianist, but he's also really goofy. He gave a masterclass and was simply weird. He was dancing around and doing this weird vibrato bass along with the students and hovering and hunching over the piano while the students were playing. He would make up syllables while singing along and then refer to notes with the syllable ("La la la, ya yam - can you play that yam a little louder").

I was wondering what other people think of him and if anyone else has experienced his weirdness.  

[allchopin]

You got a masterclass with Goode?!    That's an experience of a lifetime..

I love what Beethoven recordings I have of him - it's pretty much as good as a person can play Beethoven.  And his playing exhibits that energy you are talking about.

[chopiabin]

No, I was on stage while he gave some other students a masterclass. It made me a little mad because he said he only wanted to work on pieces by Schumann, Schubert, and Brahms (of which I have none), but when I got to the class, someone played part of the Pathetique and another person played Chopin's op.9 #1 nocturne - something I played a long time ago.

[Spatula]

Holy cow!  That's better than meeting a movie super star for me!  ( I once met Jackie Chan while filming shanghai noon, but didn't shake his hand)

I think Richard Goode is one of the best interpretors (especially the appassionata) of the Beethoven Sonatas, but some will disagree with me.

Where exactly did you go to?
Was this in New Jersey (don't ask but that's my hunch)

[chopiabin]

He actually came to my school, which is in upstate New York. He was really helpful to the students who got to play for him, but he was so weird. The funniest thing was when, on the next to last Debussy prelude, he forgot where he was he simply said," Excuse me," and started over.

[cziffra777]

I was wondering what other people think of him and if anyone else has experienced his weirdness.  

I don't care for his Beethoven.

[sleepingcats]

I went to the Richard Goode Master Class in Portland, OR - sat on stage as well, and watched 3 teenagers play 2 pieces each. Being still in the early intermediate stage myself, I found it overwhelming to watch for 2 hours, but it was enlightening!

The students played Bach, Rachmaninoff, and Beethoven. It was amazing to watch these 3 students have a lesson from Mr. Goode! He certainly was entertaining, but I don't think he was really weird - just passionate about piano, expression and music.

[chopiabin]

Oh yeah, don't get me wrong, his adcice was incredible, he was just funny and a bit eccentric.

[Rockitman]

I saw him perform last year.  He is an incredible player.
But he makes the weirdest facial gestures as he plays.
You have to watch him, almost comical.  

[cziffra]

I remember being very compelled by his beethoven, especially the third movement of the appasionata.  He sounded like he was so wired up that not even an earthquake could stop him, the momentum was just constant.

[Spatula]

I saw him perform last year.  He is an incredible player.
But he makes the weirdest facial gestures as he plays.
You have to watch him, almost comical.  

If it'd were that funny (his face), then I'd better observe his playing blindfolder or else collapse in laughter destroying the pianistic atmosphere.

[tomclear]

 Speaking of Portland (where I live), did you read the negative reviews in the Oregonian of BOTH Goode and Louis Lortie? They complained that in the Rach 3 you couldn't hear Lortie over the brass; he then developed "tendonitis" and left in a huff.
They found Goode's Les Adieux boring and complained about hearing practically the same program last time.

[sleepingcats]

I missed the reviews of Goode and Lortie in the Oregonian.

I did go to the second night of the symphony for Rach 3 and was disappointed that Lortie would not be performing because of the tendonitis. They performed a wonderful Tchaikovsky symphony instead - it was fantastic!

[Shagdac]

I have his CD of Brahms. I feel it is excellent, and enjoy very much. What an exciting opportunity to sit in on one of his classes. (Green w/ envy)

S

[alextryan]

Several years ago I wandered into a masterclass with R. Goode at Oberlin College, my alma mater.  I was very unserious about piano at the time and didn't know who he was, but I remember him being warm and gentle with the three students.  A professor friend of mine ranted later about how awful one of the students was, and how embarrassing that they should have someone up there who responded so little to Goode's comments. 

At a party later, my professor friend got chatting with Goode and said "You know you should change your name..... to Richard GREAT!"

I also love his Brahms album -- it got me on a Brahms kick that I'm still riding.  I also bought the complete Brahms piano work by Julius Katchen, and he also does a terrific job. 

[dinosaurtales]

Speaking of Portland (where I live), did you read the negative reviews in the Oregonian of BOTH Goode and Louis Lortie? They complained that in the Rach 3 you couldn't hear Lortie over the brass; he then developed "tendonitis" and left in a huff.
They found Goode's Les Adieux boring and complained about hearing practically the same program last time.

I don't know when this was, but I can imagine the Oregonian (Dave Stabler? - egad!) complaining about Richard Goode - I thought his last recital here was downright boring - and he gave the most boring master class I've ever seen.  I actually walked out it was that bad.  Maybe he was just having a bad weekend.  As for Louis Lortie - my gawd!  No complaints here!  he is simple amazing - the way he plays Chopin! 

[steinwayguy]

Richard Goode is simply tremendous.

And he sounds a hell of a lot like my teacher (eccentricity etc.)!

[dj]

i attended a master class by richard goode a couple months ago and i didnt find him weird at all...he cracked a joke every once in a while but mostly it looked just like regular lessons only with an incredible teacher!