Chopin: Pianist and Teacher: As Seen by his Pupils (Paperback)

by Jean-Jacques Eigeldinger (Editor), Naomi Shohet (Translator), Krysia Osostowicz (Translator), Roy Howat (Translator) "Intonation being the tuner's task, the piano is free of one of the greatest difficulties encountered in the study of an instrument..." (more)
Key Phrases: Anonymous Scottish, Interpretation of Chopin, Georges Mathias (more...)

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 Description
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.

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 (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #132,852 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

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

By	Andrew HO "affanato" (Hong Kong) - See all my reviews

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.

13 of 13 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 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.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Must have for anyone seriously studying Chopin, July 14, 2006

By	Antonia Brentano (Leiden, The Netherlands) - See all my reviews

To the general public Chopin is famous for his beautiful piano music. However, in his days he also was a renowned piano teacher with some revolutionary ideas (at least for his time) about piano technique. His students included rich, aristocratic ladies (he had to make a living) and some very talented students.
Luckily many of the things Chopin told his students during their lessons have been preserved in various diaries and notes by his students and have now been compiled in this book.
Also, Chopin made a start with a piano method (which he did not complete). This method is also included in this book.
If you are a piano student this book is simply a must-have.
If you are not a pianist, but seriously interested in Chopin's ideas about (his own) music and teaching you also should buy this book.
JJ Eigeldinger wrote more excellent books about Chopin which unfortunately are still only available in French.