The effects that life has on artistic depth

[distantfieldrelative]

What effects do you think having exeptional (good or bad) experiences in life have on how people play piano? For instance, how do you think  Wladyslaw Szpilmans or Cziffras playing were affected by ww2?
Do you think it helps or hinders them? What's your opinion?

[hardy_practice]

Who you are is far more important than what you play.

[iansinclair]

I'm seriously tempted to say... um, no brainer.  Having very significant experiences in one's life -- good or bad -- will have, in my not so humble opinion -- one of two effects on one's music (particularly more recent (that is, Classical or later) or early (that is, Renaissance or earlier).  I'm not so sure about Baroque).  It will either make one's playing or whatever better, if one can channel and express the emotions from the experiences through the music, or worse, if one can't control the emotions from the experience.

The stronger the experience, the greater this effect will be.

[louispodesta]

What effects do you think having exeptional (good or bad) experiences in life have on how people play piano? For instance, how do you think  Wladyslaw Szpilmans or Cziffras playing were affected by ww2?
Do you think it helps or hinders them? What's your opinion?

Art, whatever "Fine Art" you effectuate, is the physical manifestation of ones soul.  Therefore, if you have the God given talent/ability to perform on stage, perform with instrument, paint or sculpt with any medium, or dance, then that life experience shows through in your art.

I have actually had an audience member (a total stranger) and a former coach (30 years later) tell me just that.  As far as a help or a hindrance, I just told you that it is a daily reality for the  artist involved.

[hardy_practice]

life experience shows through in your art.

to cut to the chase.

[gr8ape]

But is playing note-for-note with indicated expressions and possibly endless coaching true expression? (just playing devils advocate...)

[iansinclair]

But is playing note-for-note with indicated expressions and possibly endless coaching true expression? (just playing devils advocate...)

Absolutely not.  Which is why there are so many technically brilliant pianists who are so deadly in performance (also applies to other musical arts and ballet, at the very least).  One can program a computer to play note for note with the indicated expressions -- it's a lot easier and cheaper.  Why bother?