Chopin: Pianist and Teacher: As Seen by his Pupils [Paperback]

Jean-Jacques Eigeldinger (Editor), Naomi Shohet (Translator), Krysia Osostowicz (Translator), Roy Howat (Translator)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 27, 1989

The accounts of Chopin's pupils, acquaintances and contemporaries, together with his own writing, provide valuable insights into the musician's pianistic and stylistic practice, his teaching methods and his aesthetic beliefs. This unique collection of documents, edited and annotated by Jean-Jacques Eigeldinger, reveals Chopin as teacher and interpreter of his own music. Included in this study is extensive appendix material that presents annotated scores, and personal accounts of Chopin's playing by pupils, writers, and critics.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"...truly a book about the way Chopin played the piano, and about the way he interpreted his own music...Anyone interested in Chopin will be grateful to Eigeldinger..." Charles Rosen, The New York Review of Books

"...really indispensable to the serious student of Chopin. Almost all those reading it will find their view of the composer made sharper and truer than before." Nicholas Temperley, Notes

Product Details

• Paperback: 340 pages
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press (January 27, 1989)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0521367093
• ISBN-13: 978-0521367097
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.8 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #76,168 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #3 in Books > Arts & Photography > Music > Theory, Composition & Performance > Sheet Music & Scores > Composers > Chopin

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

33 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars If you are interested in Chopin's methods, get this book!, April 1, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Chopin: Pianist and Teacher: As Seen by his Pupils (Paperback)

This book gives a clear idea of Chopin's philosophy and practice of the pianoforte. Whereas most biographies are cluttered with florid descriptions of his salon and will tell you nothing about his music, this book is well-researched and richly annotated. A surprisingly good read and definitely a great reference!

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Indispensible to anyone interested in Chopin, June 5, 2000

By 

Andrew HO (Hong Kong) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Chopin: Pianist and Teacher: As Seen by his Pupils (Paperback)

When I went to university, I devoured almost all books on Chopin from the library. None was nearly as informative. Through his pupils, friends, associates, colleagues, you'll know exactly what the master was like when he played and taught, his stylistic requirements, his temperament and the magic he evoked.

I just can't stress this enough - this is a must-buy! If you still have your doubts, get your hands on a copy and have a browse - what you can learn from it is priceless.

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must for Chopin fans, October 5, 2000

By 

Claus Hetting (Gentofte, Copenhagen Denmark) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Chopin: Pianist and Teacher: As Seen by his Pupils (Paperback)

This is an excellent and well documented work. Anyone who tries to play Chopin or has an amibition to do so, should read this. It goes straight to the heart of Chopins entire musical philisophy, and gives not only insight into the artist himself, but solid and sound advice on practicing, technique, and interpretation. Strongly recommended.