Word: pianism
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America's first world-class musician, Louis Moreau Gottschalk, built a precocious career on three isms: romanticism, pianism and giganticism. He had the dazzling keyboard technique of his European contemporaries, Liszt and Chopin, and a languid, aristocratic sexuality as well. Women vied for the white gloves he tossed aside before sitting down to play-and often for other favors afterward. His recitals, heavily laced with showpieces of his own composing, catered unabashedly to the florid, sentimental taste of the day. On occasion he disdained using one piano where ten or 14 would do. During the years before his death...
Michel Singher '62 complemented Mr. Wiseman throughout. His performance of the Faure accompaniment was in itself a creditable piece of pianism, even if, at times, he tried to drown Mr. Wiseman...
Copland's Piano Variations (1930) constitute a landmark in the output of our country's foremost composer. In fact, the work is a milestone in the whole course of 20th-century pianism (some would say "millstone," and it drove two ladies in the front row to a hasty retreat). It is admittedly repellent on first hearing; and I subjected myself to it only in fits of masochism for several years before I began to fathom its great stature. Its granitic, clangorous, uncompromising dissonances take getting used to; but the piece is more than worth the effort...
Martinu: Sonata for Piano and Flute (George Reeves and Rene Le Roy; EMS, 1 side LP). Melodic inspiration (vintage 1945) and superior performances make this attractive listening. The more astringent Martinu - and some spectacular pianism-are on the other side, where Charles Rosen plays five short studies and polkas and a longer work, Les Ritournelles. Recording: good...
...definite conception of how the music should be played, I can say very little about the interpretation. However, there did seem to be a lack of rapport between soloist and accompanist. The quiet passion which marked Krasner's playing was far removed from his wife's cool, almost mechanical pianism. I don't know which style is valid, but one of them was certainly out of place. In fairness to Mrs. Krasner it must be added that she is a first rate technician who effortlessly surmounted all the difficulties of her part (originally written for orchestra...