On Piano Playing - by Gyorgy Sandor

[Ann_W]

Has anyone read this book? Is it something you would recommend?

[Ckarrlozs]

I have wanted to read that book a long time.

Three years ago I had the opportunity to play in a master class held by Gyorgy Sandor in Santander (Spain). He was 85 years old but looked like if he was 63. I still remember him showing off and explaining how you have to play Chopin's "octave" étude by actually playing it!...
Anyways... He is a firm believer that sound depends exclusively on the speed at which your fingers strike the keys. But it is important to realize that the man is almost 90 and has been thinking A LOT! I thought his touch was beautiful and very simple, and that is what happens often when people think a lot about what is necessary and what is not. Every single gesture was precisely planned without any "extravaganza".
That works for him and maybe not for an 18 years old virtuoso that has too much energy!

I was actually quite pissed at a few of the students that laughed at the "old man"... (sorry for the language... :-/)

[pianoloverus]

I heard him give a master class at Mannes in NYC this summer as part of their International Keyboard Festival . The student played the Schumann Fantasie, which Sandor was going to perform the next night in a recital at Mannes. Sandor certainly did look 15-20 years younger than his real age! He did not play during the master class, and unfortunately I did not get to hear his recital which also included Beethoven Op. 111 and some of Sandor's own transcriptions.

[MikeThePianist]

I think that his book is most definitely worth looking into.  I saw him play last year, and it was absolutely phenomenal.  As far as his age - he did look a little worn out, but that certainly didn't affect his playing.  I also met him afterward.  He was extremely intelligent, and very kind.

Anyway, the book is my teacher's piano bible.  It was so thorough it almost boggles your mind.  The only downside is it is slightly on the dry side, but the technique that it teaches is absolutely priceless.  I would highly recommend investing in a copy.

Mike