Alexander Peskanov: The Russian Technical Regimen

[apeskanov]

The Russian Technical Regimen for the Piano presents instructions and exercises that were used in all special music schools in the former Soviet Union. This includes Russia, Ukraine, Georgia, Azerbaijan, etc. Students were practicing and mastering the same exercises for "technique" exams of different levels. My teachers were pupils of Leschetizky school. Leschetizky's teaching methods became the foundation of the Russian Piano School.  I hope this will clarify unnecessary confusion.

[pytheamateur]

The Russian Technical Regimen for the Piano presents instructions and exercises that were used in all special music schools in the former Soviet Union. This includes Russia, Ukraine, Georgia, Azerbaijan, etc. Students were practicing and mastering the same exercises for "technique" exams of different levels. My teachers were pupils of Leschetizky school. Leschetizky's teaching methods became the foundation of the Russian Piano School.  I hope this will clarify unnecessary confusion.

Do you know if this method has been adopted in any conservatoires in the West?  Judging from the rather hostile reaction on this forum, it seems the West is not embracing it.

[marik1]

The Russian Technical Regimen for the Piano presents instructions and exercises that were used in all special music schools in the former Soviet Union. This includes Russia, Ukraine, Georgia, Azerbaijan, etc. Students were practicing and mastering the same exercises for "technique" exams of different levels.

While true, this is only one part. In the end of the day, it is not about "what", but about "how". Presentation in such mechanical way (esp. followed by Chopin Op.25 no.12, which was performed without any sense of melody, its shaping and phrasing) is precisely why I have difficulty to call it "Russian".

On the other hand, later I listened to your Scriabin Etude and Chopin Op.10 no.5 and actually enjoyed those very much--lots of musicality and subtleties!

Leschetizky's teaching methods became the foundation of the Russian Piano School. I hope this will clarify unnecessary confusion.

Sorry, this statement is incorrect and creates even more confusion.

The Russian Piano School phenomenon was a mixture and fusion of many different schools on a strong nationalistic, cultural, and political background. While Leschetizky had an important impact on Russian School, by no means one could even remotely call it "the foundation of the Russian Piano School".

Hope it helps.

Best, M

[apeskanov]

Do you know if this method has been adopted in any conservatoires in the West?  Judging from the rather hostile reaction on this forum, it seems the West is not embracing it.

There is good number of universities and conservatories around the world, from US, Canada,  South America, Europe, Asia and Australia acquired my books for their libraries, and many teachers,  students use them as a good practicing tool. The first edition of five out of six volumes have been sold out. Only a few weeks ago, Volume 5 had to be reprinted again by Hal Leonard/Willis. There are teachers and students in all 50 states that find these books and my instructional videos "In Search of Sound" useful.  

[apeskanov]

[Bob]

There is good number of universities and conservatories around the world, from US, Canada,  South America, Europe, Asia and Australia acquired my books for their libraries, and many teachers,  students use them as a good practicing tool. The first edition of five out of six volumes have been sold out. Only a few weeks ago, Volume 5 had to be reprinted again by Hal Leonard/Willis. There are teachers and students in all 50 states that find these books and my instructional videos "In Search of Sound" useful. 

A good number being about 30 libraries worldwide... which is probably just English version in the West really.  Give or take, depending on the format, etc.  but it's about that.

I'm kind of surprised more don't have them.  At least for some kind of reference.  I haven't seen much if anything of anyone actually writing out something for a Russian technique.