Answering Piano Related Questions

[akselspiano]

Hello piano lovers!

I am a professional pianist studying masters for solo piano in Germany, I had some fantastic teachers, including Aristo Sham as the assistant of my teacher for a year.

I would love to hear any piano repated questions and troubles.

Best wishes

[hopefulauditionpasser]

Whats the most magical performance you’ve heard?

And, any advice for aspiring conservatory undergraduates?

(Side note, what did you think of Sham’s etudes tableux at the cliburn?)

[akselspiano]

Thank you for asking;

When I think of the most magical performance in live concert I think of
Volodos in Berlin recital playing Schumann Fantasy, unfortunately there is even no pirate recording for this. Although the whole concert was wash of colors pianissimo and amazing moments the last movement of fantasy was a soul transforming experience.

For the undergraduates I say; don’t be afraid to fail. Most important in our field is to keep going and not defining yourself by a single performance; good or bad! Journey goes on whatever. If you win big competition or have a terrible performance in a litrle church, in a day or two you are again by the piano, keeping on improving. Go, meet people, apply places, get eliminated and learn. Be always honest of why you play any piece of music. Try to appreciate and understand what good qualities everyone has, do not only listen for what is not working but also what is. Any specific questions?


Aristo has been playing these etudes for a long time and he really feels home with them. He knows and practiced every movement coordination in each one, a lot of invisible piano technique underneath the surface. With such great monuments of repertory we can take always from different angles- piano playing is of course absolute phenomenal. Another side is there so many different conceptualisations and orchestrations. I take it as one of the great performances of the set, I also like certain things a bit differently, but I also am fan of Rachmaninov himself playing for example the red riding hood- much slower but the or orchestration, rhytmic drive and clarity makes it for me!