Hello,

I think it could be quite interresting for all of you. I "found" two fantastic books! My ex-teacher had been putting theese two books to me and I had not known that. She had told me many times that I really should read it. But I had not followed that. The last school term I had methodics and I had to read theese two books obligatorily. What a great exploration! Fantastic. I am happy that I have read it. It is kind of a bible how to play - technics, feelings, bio, nervosity.. etc.

Here are the names of the books. The writers (pianists) are 100% but I have translated the names of the books - I really don't know how they are called in english. So in a library, just look at theese names and try to decide yourself.

G. Kogan: At the gates of craft; The work of a pianist
H. Neuhaus (Nejgauz): Poetics of the piano

Have a nice reading!

The book by Neuhaus has been published in English translation. The title is "The Art of Piano Playing". I haven't heard of the other book.

I read a PDF copy of Neuhaus' book some time ago. While I found it never less than interesting I don't seem to remember very to much of it except his unstinting praise of Richter and (to a lesser extent) Gilels. Probably says more about me than about the book

In any case Neuhaus was a most fascinating figure as well as one of the most influential piano paedagogues.

And what's the best - the two Kogan's books are even more about the raw playing - not just things around. He uses for examples not only pianists but he uses actors and painters and etc. I love that books.

I've never heard of G. Kogan though. Who was he ? Any relation to the famous Leonid ?

Hello...I just want to remind one and all

that Neuhaus was a pupil of Godowsky,

a nephew of Felix Blumenfeld (teacher of Horowitz),

and a cousin of Karol Szymanowski.

Well connected, I'd say...Robert

Hi,

Speaking of books on piano performance, I have many. As I think about them, here are my favorites:

Banowetz, The Pianist's Guide to Pedaling
Barnes, The Russian Piano School
Berman, Notes from the Pianist's Bench
Bree, Leschetizky Method
Neuhaus, The Art of Piano Playing
Lhevinne, Basic Principles of Pianoforte Playing
Schenker, The Art of Performance

David

Wow! Those are great books. I always wanted to have a library of books at home. Starting from beginner's book to intermediate to pro to collection of piano pieces.