Wisdom with Age

[steinwayguy]

I think it is safe to say that, generally, the older the better when it comes to playing such emotion-packed works as Beethoven's late sonatas or Schubert B-flat. But can anyone put their finger on why these more experienced musicians deliver more touching, meaningful performances?

[ted]

I don't know about classical music specifically but I conjecture older players in general are often more at ease with themselves because they do not feel a need to compete or compare as much as younger ones. Whether they're famous or not, either way there is nothing to prove any more, so they can be themselves with the music.

[lostinidlewonder]

Probably because they can relate emotion that the music expresses to their own life experience more readily than youngsters.

[pianonut]

yes.  and, they're not in a hurry.  am learning to slow down for slow movements and beautiful passages and not panic over losing my spot, which is still hard, but not impossible.