Description
As soloist, master class teacher, and pianist of the world-renowned Beaux Arts Trio, Menahem Pressler can boast of four Grammy nominations, three honorary doctorates, more than 80 recordings, and lifetime achievement awards presented by France, Germany, and Israel. Former Pressler student William Brown traces the master's pianistic development through Rudiakov, Kestenberg, Vengerova, Casadesus, Petri, and Steuermann, blending techniques and traditions derived from Beethoven, Chopin, Liszt, and J. S. Bach.
Brown presents Pressler's approach to performance and teaching, including technical exercises, principles of relaxation and total body involvement, and images to guide the pianist's creativity toward expressive interpretation. Insights from the author's own lessons, interviews with Pressler, and recollections of more than 100 Pressler students from the past 50 years are gathered in this text. Measure-by-measure lessons on 23 piano masterworks by, among others, Bach, Bart k, Debussy, and Ravel as well as transcriptions of Pressler's fingerings, hand redistributions, practicing guidelines, musical scores, and master class performances are included.
Author: William Brown
Publisher: Indiana University Press
Published: 12/03/2008
Pages: 328
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 1.48lbs
Size: 9.54h x 6.35w x 1.06d
ISBN13: 9780253352415
ISBN10: 025335241X
BISAC Categories:
- Music | Genres & Styles | Classical
- Music | Individual Composer & Musician
About the Author
William Brown is a professor of piano who has contributed to Piano Guild Magazine and PedalPoint. He lives in Bolivar, Missouri.