Playing with Physical emotions

[tempest-Sonata]

i remembered Jonathan Anner from the til' aviv trio
he played really hard he kicks like crazy while playing the piano...

did your teacher ever told/teach you to play with physical emotions?

i think playing with physical emotions makes the piece better to listen but is really hard to let people see you like crazy playing in a recital

hhahahahahaha

tell me if you are goin to do it. so that i may try
( all the people there in the recital are stiff exept for the teachers )

i hope next time i wont be stiff while playing in recital.
for sure when i practice i dont want to be stiff.

[amp]

My teacher is really tough about things like relaxed wrist and wrist type playing, But she has never coached me to move anymore than the music requires, that part is up to me.

Interesting topic. Actually I prefer when the player physically is reserved, I think exagerated movements is distracting. But, this is all opinion, and it's neat that each person has a different take on this.  My personal problem with that type of playing is that it always comes across as "showy." It may not be the performers intention, but some people perceive it as that. I think in a recital with others, you may get students who will not accept what you are playing or laugh. I think if the motions you feel go with the music and improve it, go for it. But, if it's for the sack of just moving then it's not good.

And also, you can play with out major movement and not be stiff, too. Some play stiff, some play very relaxed, with out major movement. I tend to sway a bit.

Good topic...

[rachfan]

The pianist is the medium between the composer, his music, and the audience.  For that reason the pianist has to be transparent--meaning, no mannerisms!  They are distracting and add nothing to an otherwise good performance.  Let the music speak for itself.  After all, that's what it's all about.

[amee]

When a pianist moves, most of the time they aren't even aware they are doing so.  That is just how they play the piece of music.  Yes sometimes it does get a bit distracting to watch, but I personally don't find it too annoying.

[Celeste]

I agree with Amp. Don't be crazy, just move a little bit. It makes it look like your enjoying it. Also, if you play a very difficult piece you can't help moving because your jumping around the piano so much. I think it depends on the type of music. I would never move with bach, but I have to play with movement for Chopin and Rachmanninoff. At a recital, it helps me be less nervous because I am more into the music.

[MzrtMusic]

I've seen some really crazy things when people play the piano before... Once, there was a man playing Gershwin's "Rhapsody in Blue" and conducting from the piano. It was awful... At one point, this man's feet were up in the air, he was sideways on the bench, and it almost looked like he was laying down... Then I saw a man play Rachmaninoff's Third Piano Concerto. The last few chords of the last movement were played standing up! It was a very disturbing performance...

All of that said, I personally feel that the music is what people come to hear. If they wanted to see a theatrical performance, they would have gone to the theatre. My mother and I always argue about this. She says that if that were true, then there isn't any difference in going to a concert, or listening to a CD... I say the sound is different, but anyway. I think that some natural movement is nice, but if it looks like it is "faked" for is really exxagerated (even if you don't know it is) then you need to work on toning everything donw some...

Love,

Sarah

[ned]

I actually saw the one and only Glenn Gould live in concert in the Beethoven First Concerto. As George Szell said, "That nut is a genius," and so he was.

Glenn comes onstage and settles down in his very low chair. He crosses his legs, leans back and sinks deep into a lopsided slouch.  During the orchestral introduction he appeared to be in an autistic trance.  At first he was motionless, but about two-thirds through the intro he starts swaying,  conducting and humming to himself.  At the solo entrance he lurched forward and started to play -- very beautifully. He kept his legs crossed most of the time as I remember. He often was sitting sideways to the piano. Whenever he was not playing, he kept busy with his gyrations.

It was best to close your eyes, but you had to love him.

Ned