Here's a thought. And before you jump all over me and claim that another song is the real test of a classical pianist's ability, can we at least agree that mastering Scherzo No. 1 in B minor by Chopin is probably a decent benchmark by which one can separate the "I wanna-be" crowd from the "I am" crowd?
Spare me the examples of pianists that stuff their repertoire full of composers utilizing dramatic minor chords in the lower 30 keys. It's the 19th-century equivalent of a hack garage band twisting the distortion dial on their guitar's amplifier as far clockwise as it'll go. Even I can sound good using that trick, and I only know five chords.
Chopin was the Stevie Ray Vaughan of his day. That man knew how to throw down.
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Don, if you think that is the only marker for being a pianist. I can think of many more examples that indicate true musicianship and
Chopin is one of the composers who the piano in particular was unique for him since he is called "the poet of the piano" who broke many rules harmonically and technically and made the piano what it is today. There are many more compositions that would make the Scherzo in B minor look like child's play. Remember he had the company of Liszt, Mendelssohn, Schumann, Brahms and many more illustrious musicians that exploited the technical possibilities of the piano. What makes you think that we can test a pianist as if he were an Olympic contestant and what and whom is to determine who is the greatest? Have you heard of Alkan, Kalbrenner,Busoni? They all composed and played the piano as well as the others who were more popular, but who is to say who was the best or the greatest remains a mystery to me.
Best Regards,
Peter Tarsio
Pianist
Director Northern Westchester Music
Teachers Aliance
Yorktown, NY
www.nwcmta.
PS there is music to listen to on the website on the home page. Click under recordings on the left side of the page. WE welcome your comments.
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