Greatest technicians of the recorded era

[preludetr]

I've noticed a few threads about comparing the technique of certain pianists, and it always leads to an argument about technique vs. musicality. I want to know, if we're not talking musicality, not talking about who your favorite pianist is, which pianists are/were the best technicians?

I think some obvious contenders are Cziffra, Hamelin, Lhevinne, and as much as it pains me to admit it, Yuja Wang.

[ronde_des_sylphes]

Cziffra, Katsaris and Michelangeli for me.

[theholygideons]

I think some obvious contenders are Cziffra, Hamelin, Lhevinne, and as much as it pains me to admit it, Yuja Wang.

You do not know anything about technical perfection if you think Yuja Wang's technique is on par with lhevinne or hamelin. I only like her because of her physical attributes.

[preludetr]

You do not know anything about technical perfection if you think Yuja Wang's technique is on par with lhevinne or hamelin. I only like her because of her physical attributes.

I really do get the impression that her technique is outstanding, but it could very well be that I don't know how to judge properly.

[stevensk]

You do not know anything about technical perfection if you think Yuja Wang's technique is on par with lhevinne or hamelin. I only like her because of her physical attributes.

Oh, we have an expert here! A sexist one

[ianzilla]

why does no one mention Lang Lang?  Some don't like his interpretation of pieces but his technique is unquestionably insane

[preludetr]

So I was just listening to some old recordings of Ignaz Friedman and all I can say is wow, his technique was just ridiculous. He has to be among the all-time greatest.

Also, it is true that Lang Lang probably has one of the best techniques among active pianists.

[huaidongxi]

just my $.02, but back in the age of acoustic recordings when there were quite a few formidable technical virtuosi performing, a critic compared Guiomar Novaes to Josef Hoffmann and Ignaz Paderewsky.  we can lapse into a sampling bias if we go by modern recordings, and get impressed if a pianist does lots of Liszt and Rachmaninoff or Prokofiev or Scriabin.  my ear tells me Novaes had exceptional ability to define and delineate nuances in the music, which is impossible without exceptional technique.  hope we are not just considering speed and dynamics.  there are many deserving of consideration for the upper rank ; Novaes and Richter should be included, i.m.h.o.