How can a piano soloist avoid being drowned out by the orchestra?

[ubon2010]

This question I consider to be an extension to an existing excellent thread (2011) -- "Piano concerto: Who runs the orchestra? Conductor or pianist?"  https://www.pianostreet.com/smf/index.php?topic=41965.0

I often read in reviews of  concerto performances that the piano sound is sometimes drowned out by the orchestra. Often the critic would write that "the soloist is overpowered by the orchestra", as if the problem lies with the pianist.   My question is: how can a soloist avoid that?  Surely a single pianist, no matter how hard (s)he pounds on the keyboard, is no match for a whole orchestra going at full blast!  Is it the conductor's responsibility to rein in the orchestra to avoid the situation?

Thank you.

[faulty_damper]

Just because you can't hear the piano doesn't mean you can't hear the piano.

[iansinclair]

In my humble opinion, this is really the conductor's problem.  While overall interpretation of the work should be a shared endeavour between the soloist and the conductor (which I recognise can be quite a problem, given that the egos of the average soloist and the average conductor are considerable!)(and is even worse if there is a significant difference in experience or age) it is the conductor's responsibility, within that shared interpretation, to ensure that there is the desired balance between all the instruments involved -- the orchestral instruments as well as the soloist.

This balance problem needs to be resolved in rehearsal -- which must be done in the hall where the performance is to be played. 

The soloist does have a responsibility here too, though -- that is to play the piece the same way during the rehearsal as he or she does during the performance.  The conductor will not appreciate surprises...

[ubon2010]

In my humble opinion, this is really the conductor's problem ... it is the conductor's responsibility, within that shared interpretation, to ensure that there is the desired balance between all the instruments involved -- the orchestral instruments as well as the soloist.

Thanks for the response.  My humble opinion agrees with yours.  I do wonder, though, if we hear the same balance in the audience as those who are performing on stage.  I also wonder if where a critic sits in the concert hall makes a difference.

[lostinidlewonder]

What about when you try to hear the harpsichord playing along with an orchestra? Impossible lol.

[faulty_damper]

It's a mistake to assume that because the piano is playing that it is meant to be heard.  Sometimes, the piano's only role is to provide orchestral texture, not project musical ideas.  Can anyone even hear the harps playing?  It's there for textural reasons and does have a perceptible effect.

[dima_76557]

How can a piano soloist avoid being drowned out by the orchestra?

1) NEVER force your tone. It is "pounding" as hard as you can that actually kills the sound and prevents it from traveling far enough into the hall;
2) Time your sound: the "attack" of some critical sound effects should be slightly syncopated in comparison to that of the orchestra. This will create the illusion that you hold very well against the orchestra.

[Bob]

Good piano.  Piano in front, lid up.

I'd agree about the conductor's responsibility.  It's their group and their performance.  Hopefully the group isn't overloaded with people.  It's not hard to stick someone in the audience to hear how it sounds.  Or just go back there yourself.

The pianist can play with some power in the sound.  Weight from the torso.

Pick a piece that doesn't drown out the soloist.  The composer should know what they're doing.  If not, they won't get played or they'll get rearranged.  I heard Schumann is heavy in orchestration.


It's an awesome feel when you've got an instrument you can really lay into and you're not overpowering it, when there's still more room to play louder.  Ultimately the full group can probably overpower one piano though.