A Pianist's Library

DanielePiano wrote:

In your opinion, what are the books that a pianist cannot do without in their library?? 😉

Hi!

Look, you have touched upon a subject, in general, that I love to madness, and that is Books since I study Philology. 😕

If I may allow myself to recommend some of those that I have purchased recently:

Well, regarding piano technique and the various schools of thought, a beautiful book by Nino Gardi: Il bianco e il nero. Considerazioni storico-critiche sulla tecnologia pianistica (The White and the Black. Historical-critical considerations on piano technology)

Then, also regarding piano performance but more oriented as a guide to technique, and therefore less historical, there is I Fondamenti dello Studio del Pianoforte (The Fundamentals of Piano Study) by C.Chuang Chang.

Much criticized, regarding piano technique, is Happy Fingers by Tiziano Poli, due to its ideas being a bit too focused on mechanism, but in my opinion useful for understanding certain aspects of hand anatomy even on a psycho-physical level. A bit pricey because it also contains a DVD.

Another very famous book in conservatories and among pianists is: Quello che ogni pianista deve sapere (What every pianist must know) by Luigi Finizio; in practice, it is a sort of historical and didactic summary compendium of the Piano.

Similar to the one mentioned above is Didattica pianistica (Piano Didactics) by Giuseppe Piccioli, but much more concise.

La Storia del Pianoforte (The History of the Piano) by Piero Rattalino.

A gem for every pianist and I believe it must be indispensable is: Principi razionali della tecnica pianistica (Rational principles of piano technique) by Alfred Cortot.

If you also love biographies, I recommend some of the great composers:

Chopin Racconta Chopin (Chopin Tells Chopin) by Piero Rattalino

Il Mio Listz (My Liszt) by Michele Campanella; it was released recently, more than a biography it is a piece of writing about Liszt's hands, wonderful!

Bach by Piero Buscaroli, very learned also in terms of writing, so a bit pedantic to read but very profound for potential research.

On Beethoven by Maynard Solomon, the ultimate biographer " [ .... ] of the man with many heads".

Mozart also by Solomon.

Brahms after Brahms. Panoramic traces of a lineage and an inheritance by Bussi Francesco.

A very curious book that I purchased last week is Musicofilia (Musicophilia) by Oliver Sacks, on the relationship between the brain and music in general, but it contains many considerations and experiences with the Piano.

Obviously, piano bibliography is immense, as in any field of human knowledge; these, in my modest opinion, I felt compelled to recommend to you because I consider them, fundamentally, valid.

Rational principles of piano technique Rational principles of piano technique by Cortot; well, for clarity, also The Fundamentals of Piano Study by Chang.

However, I would add one book - which I consider essential - by a great concert pianist: György Sándor.

Sándor (Budapest 1912 – New York 2005) was a student of Béla Bartók and Zoltán Kodály, performing from the age of 18. Having become an American citizen, he served in the US military, returning to perform after the war. In 1965, he won the Grand Prix du Disque with the complete piano works of Bartók, his teacher and lifelong friend. Sándor wrote a book "On Piano Playing: Motion, Sound, Expression", which was a true revelation for me, a beginner piano player. In it, Sandor relentlessly addresses and destroys those cursed theories that force the poor pianist to try to develop muscles and fingers instead of the brain. In short, a rational and lucid account of piano technique.

Gennarino knows well that I also side with Sandor. However, I consider many other books to be valid, provided that....they suggest the way to perform the exercises.

I think that all books that explain piano technique can be useful

I think that all books containing "Piano Technique" exercises can be useless....if not accompanied by "instructions for use"

I think that a "formular of finger exercises" should not be mistaken for a piano technique book

I think that one must not confuse piano technique with "mechanical" exercises

I think that technique is an Art and as such it must be treated.

I think that technique is inherent in Music and that only Music can suggest the right path to follow

I think that the mastery of a technical principle, if true mastery, must remain within us forever.

I think that what we have truly learned (in technique, but not only) is what remains with us after having forgotten everything

Yes indeed, Paolo.

I am finishing "Liszt and Armida's Garden" also by Rattalino... a beautiful book that opens up a different perspective on the character of Liszt in parallel with the historical context.

As soon as I can, I will send you the publishing house... I don't remember it.

I also found "Pianists and Fortists" interesting and useful.