Concert pianist questions

[d3boy2002]

Hello! My name is Ben and I'm new to this forum!

I need some critical advice, I am a 20 year old average guy, I've played many concerts back when I was in junior high. My biggest one would have been performing at the Niagara Intl. Music Festival as just a guest pianist (I thought I did great back then, but looking back, I realize just how terrible I was!)

I just recently started picking up this rage-inducing  yet potentially beautiful instrument again, and I want to get my momentum back. I was wondering about what it REALLY takes to be one of the best concert pianists in the world.

I hope for the best, but am prepared for the worst, and I want honest answers. I never had the attention to detail back then, but now I started to listen more to other musicians and their interpretations, see how people react to each of them, and what makes them so pleasurable to listen to. But I honestly can not tell what they do so great that makes them the best. I realize there is some technical ability involved (quieter than quiet, louder than loud), slightly more but not outstanding consistency in hitting notes, attention to detail, and body movements, present-ability, and showmanship.

Is the scene really as simple as "do what makes the most people happy"? or is there something I'm missing?

I currently practice 2 hours a day, which is the most I've ever done consistently. I don't think I can practice any more than this before getting bored out of my mind. But will this improve with habit or as I age? I realize measuring success by hours is feeble, but I also know that 2 hours a day of practice is pathetic compared to the majority of pianists out there.

I also feel like I am limited by my piano, I have a grand, but it feels very inconsistent (I can't tell whether it's just me, or the piano though.) How can pianists deal with changes in consistency, or are all concert pianos generally set up to be around the same in sensitivity vs tone?

And finally, in the business, just how important is quantity vs quality? I realize that record companies need pianists to do as many songs as possible, as often as possible (as this would generate the most $$$). But is there a possibility of an exception to, say, one song per year, but played exceptionally well?

I know this is a long post, so I'm sorry to spam the internet with more text, but I really need some educated opinions 

Thanks a bunch, and I look forward to conversing here more often! 

[dima_76557]

I realize there is some technical ability involved (quieter than quiet, louder than loud), slightly more but not outstanding consistency in hitting notes, attention to detail, and body movements, present-ability, and showmanship.

Is the scene really as simple as "do what makes the most people happy"? or is there something I'm missing?

To my mind, the essentials missing are these:
1) the ability to let the music resonate within yourself so it can reveal to you what it really has to say;
2) the courage and wisdom to accept what the music really has to say and reveal *that* to the audience, and nothing else.

If you miss both 1 and 2, what is supposed to be Art becomes either kitsh or junk, and you will be an entertainer, not an artist. No "interpretation" or external elements, however cleverly thought out, will save you from your spiritual downfall, and you will be forgotten just as fast as you rose to your temporary stardom.

[chopin2015]

To my mind, the essentials missing are these:
1) the ability to let the music resonate within yourself so it can reveal to you what it really has to say;
2) the courage and wisdom to accept what the music really has to say and reveal *that* to the audience, and nothing else.

If you miss both 1 and 2, what is supposed to be Art becomes either kitsh or junk, and you will be an entertainer, not an artist. No "interpretation" or external elements, however cleverly thought out, will save you from your spiritual downfall, and you will be forgotten just as fast as you rose to your temporary stardom.

patience with yourself, don't let other people control your productivity. you should allow yourself to make *music* no matter what, where or how. be able to play a piece in your head, sight and visual of the keyboard...and not fall asleep. new, heartstopping levels of concentration.  
i'm no concert pianist, although i was called so just once...regardless, i aspire to be at the height of my potential and consistently sharing my efforts with the public, by...er...30. really, to be physically prepared to reflect what all greatest minds in the world are capable of...I don't think you can fight time. All pianists hit a prime performance age, physical maturity and operating/working at full mental capacity. Eventually, in DUE time. So, listen to your teacher, don't hurt yourself, and make executive decisions. if you just forget time and forget everyone (except good, positive people in your life, you know?) and everything else, you will either find a way *there* or find a way out.

julia
 

not to mention, the norms of the professional pianist or performing artists, including practice routine, how you represent music and the art of piano technique, collaboration with other instruments and ENDLESS REPORTOIRE, CONSTANTLY SHIFTING MUSICAL ASPECTS...etc

good bloody luck.

[d3boy2002]

thanks for the replies!

If quantity really does matter, then I realistically stand no chance then no matter the circumstance. But thanks for giving me some perspective! Very good response concerning the difference between an artist and entertainer. More people should know this!

Ben