Interesting thing...

[frederic]

This piano teacher said to me that we "artists", in order to become like someone like Horowitz, should go back to their way of living. That means no TV, computer and stuff like that. which is a waste of time.

What do you think?

(And in case you're wondering, WILLCOWSKITZ, i do not agree with this!  )

[willcowskitz]

Heh...

I think your teacher has a very good point but she/he just doesn't really put effort into explaining it.

Modern society sucks. There are no places to explore, no _things_ to _do_, can't go on an adventure, can't stop to think. Effectiviness, power, speed, economical growth. Wow, yawn. I've fantasized about going away to live in the nature continuously fighting for my food and health, instead of staring at this screen or the other screen. Sure if I ever move to jungle I'll be sure to sell everything and buy a grand new grand to my little treehouse.  

Though it wasn't really adventurous in the 1800's either, its all just gotten worse. People did EXPERIENCE more no matter how much depth you think you can find in a winamp plugin lol. Beginning of 2000 is the greatest <stuff coming out of bull's rear>. We're living era of postmodernism now, I think it should be called era of Boredom (compare renaissance romance classicism...). Anyway, the way he/she expressed her/his opinion doesn't explain much as I said. Only sounds conservative and closeminded. But deep inside I know... your teacher is right.

[tremendousOt]

LOL... I've actually pondered the same thing-- abandoning society to become a recluse, maybe build a little shack in the woods with enough room for my piano and a hammock or something.  Of course, I figure that I probably wouldn't make a good hunter type, and if i were to try to grow my own food it'd most likely die or get eaten by bugs or deer. I do agree with the not watching TV though, it's really just a waste of time, especially since there's never anything on, and of course, cutting that out of your life leaves plenty of time for more practice  

[amee]

I think something only becomes a waste of time when you do it constantly or too much, except for piano playing of course  Also what might be very meaningful to one person might be seen as a waste of time for another...just depends on the person I reckon.

In regards to your orginal question, Frederic, you asked if we should go back to Horowitz's way of living.  What was Horowitz's way of living?  I heard he was quite an eccentric man, and only gave concerts at 4 on Sundays because he worked out that was when he played best.  Or maybe I'm thinking of the wrong person...

Moving into a treehouse would be fun!  I quite like that idea

[Colette]

The pianist's fantasy---leaving all the crap behind and having a perfect concert grand Steinway on some gorgeous and remote island. I'm insanely jealous of one particular pianist who actually did do something of the sort. Lief  Anderson won a 100,000 grant which allowed him to buy the piano of his dreams, set it up in the location of his dreams, away from everything except beauty, and just perfect his craft for his own enjoyment...He eventually got back to reality, but wow, what an opportunity. I also had a very brilliant writing teacher at New York University who made a sudden announcement that he was not returning to NYU, but getting away from society and moving to an undisclosed, foresty location without any modern conveniences. We laughed and called him a hippy, but he really did it. He left and nobody heard from him again. For that, I admire and envy him more than I can say. I just look forward to the point in my life where I can afford to be a little selfish and have some solitude; do only what I love without the ridiculous distractions of the tv, cell phone, or computer (yes, I'm a hypocrite). I think everybody, musician or mathematician, needs a little of that now and then.

[frederic]

Don't worry about that Horowitz comment. It could be any musician in the past. Say if you want to be the next Beethoven or something thats the same. Which was when they had nothing to do but music.

Actually this piano teacher is not my teacher. And its interesting to note that he was a pupil of Cherkassky. And Cherkassky was a pupil of Hofmann and Rachmaninoff? Am i right? Maybe he was influenced by him...

[tosca1]

The point is that playing the piano as a concert artist in today's cut-throat, competitive environment demands a ruthless commitment to practice and preparation.  TV and computers can be  time wasting  distractions for anyone. The piano is a very possessive friend and dislikes being shared with other interests.  

The measure of the creative artist in any area of endeavour is a reflection of the dedication and unrelenting commitment to the artistic ideal and concert pianists are certainly no exception to this.

Robert.  

[frederic]

Well said Robert!

[natasha]

i dont reckon thats true
u dont have 2 live like a pioneer 2 b gud @ the piano!!

[natasha]

yeah i agree amee!!! living in a treehouse wud b kool...we can flat 2gether.....hmmmmm!!
did horowitz really only perform @ 4?
natasha

[BoliverAllmon]

I don't think that computers are bad and have an ill-effect on pianists. In fact, the piano can be a great asset to aspiring pianists. Bach had to take 6 months leave of absence from his job to go study under a well-known musician. I have a vast knowledge within 6 min. As long as it isn't an obsession or prohibits you from practicing then you are ok.

Boliver Allmon

[88keys]

BoliverAllmon has a very good point.

Modern technology can greatly aid you in any profession, and pianists are no exception.

Computers, in particular, can give you not only instant access to the knowledge you need, but can also help you greatly with your piano playing itself: From orginizing your practice sessions, to providing "music minus one" accompanyments when the real thing is not available.


Also, I don't agree that spending some liesure time with your computer or TV is a bad thing. Watching half an hour of TV in the evening may be just the kind of rest your brain needs in order to be fresh at the piano tommorow. And some computer games have the added bonus of exercising your fingers while you are resting...

[PoSeiDoN]

There was some discussion about Horowitz's pre-concert habits.  I read a very detailed biography on him some time ago, so I'll try to recount what I can.

His favorite time to perform was 4pm on Sundays.  The night before, he wanted to be left alone, and he would watch either westerns (movies) or boxing (Pay Per View).  The next day, he kept the curtains closed, to maintain a relaxed setting.  I believe he also had the same lunch every Sunday before a concert, which consisted of asparagus and a few other "yummy" things.  

In response to Frederic's original message, I think we need to keep in mind that every concert pianist has/had very different habits, some even bordering on the line of weird or even neurotic!  Yes, we should strive to imitate the wonderful virtuosity and interpretations they exhibited.  But as far as living like them, I believe that depends quite largely on the individual.

- Ken

[rachfan]

Horowitz' favorate entree was broiled gray sole.  I love sole too... but would not want it at every meal!  

[dinosaurtales]

If I had a heavy diet of sole, I can guarantee I'd be thin and svelt!  Where do you guys get this stuff?

[amee]

Yes, Horowitz loved gray sole.  In fact, if a city didn't have gray sole, he would refuse to play there unless someone could have his staple fish flown in.

Horowitz was also very difficult to accomodate; his living specifications had to be very specific, like there must be black curtains in the hotel where he would be staying.

Also he was very picky about the acoustics in the hall where he would be playing.  He swore never to play in Carnegie Hall again after a renovation changed the acoustics there.  Once Horowitz said if he kept going at this rate, the only place where he would be playing a concert would be in some hall in Amsterdam!  Horowitz loved this particular hall's acoustics.