Piano Masterclasses in the Vienna Musikverein (December 22nd 2019). Organized by the International Piano Foundation Theo and Petra Lieven of Hamburg. Details on www.lievenpiano.com/20-22-12-....
Playing is very much prim and proper. Needs more rubato. The march like section is also not the climax (Debussy marked it only as forte and not fortissimo) and needs to continue building up.
It is the pianist inhaling. Listen to how it is synchronized with his phrasing. Not a desirable habit but one that would unlikely be noticeable in a concert hall.
The "not so new" trend in the classical music world seems to be to Rush the music into as fast as possible tempos to prove dexterity or virtuosity... Ridiculous, I think it's because of the chinese pianists...
He forces him to play 6-7 times and still doesn't tell some essential things...the listening the long sounds,like a ships signals...everywhere to shy sound,can not be heared...
What are the "essential" things? I would say accurate rhythm, notes and good sound as well as following the markings of the composer. I don't hear anything lacking in these aspects in Julian's performance. Most of what is left is subjective. There is not one "right way" to interpret a piece of music. Every artist has a unique voice. Every teacher will find different things to offer. While some think they can tell a student everything they should explore in a piece within a single lesson, that is a naive, misguided and amateurish view. Many teachers just tell the student to play the piece the way their teacher told them to play a piece. This, in my view is not teaching. Mr. Pressler has never done that. He inspires students to go deeper into the music in their own way. Listen to the change in energy and conviction in Julian's playing of the climax as the lesson progresses. It is like night and day!
