I've got two essays by Edward Said on piano which have confirmed half-thoughts and imaginings I have had on and off the bench at various times throughout my life. You might enjoy them. They have confirmed and deepened my understanding of the role of the classical pianist. Argerich is mentioned, along with most other terribly valid performers, whatever that means. Said, a pianist himself, focuses primarily on his favorite, Glenn Gould. If you're interested, I just downloaded his discography in Lossless format from some Russian dude. I'd always appreciated Gould's recordings of the Goldberg Variations, but had no idea just how good he was, more, I had no conception of the depth of his take on the contemporary classical artist. The parallels with the literary critic -- exhibited by Said -- are spot on, and maybe this is why I see performance piano and literary studies as so parallel, but also why I approach litcriting like getting a piece up for performance. Also probably my interest in Kerouac's musical prose. I digress. Argerich is of the school with which I aligned myself (Russian, most interested in performing Chopin, Rachmaninoff, Scriban, Liszt), though compared to her I am a novice. Said criticizes her (and Ashkenezy, Van Cliburn, and many others, while acknowledging their virtuousity) for not bringing out anything new, as Gould did for Bach. I'm not sure this is a valid criticism, though I can see truth in it. Which is to say, I think some of the performers he criticizes do bring out new things, which make them incredibly worthwhile. It's just that what Gould did for Bach can't be done because there are only so many Bachs (though there are a lot, aren't there, i.e., big family), and so many Goulds. I'm tangential this morning. Luckily, though, not triangular. I'll just burn you a DVD with a slough of tracks of piano. Mostly solo, though there are some concertos which I think are sublime. Also bring the Said articles for you, you can read or not. I've been unexpectedly occupied MW mornings but will try to meet up in the near future, maybe tomorrow @ Waddiks?
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I've got two essays by Edward Said on piano which have confirmed half-thoughts and imaginings I have had on and off the bench at various times throughout my life. You might enjoy them. They have confirmed and deepened my understanding of the role of the classical pianist. Argerich is mentioned, along with most other terribly valid performers, whatever that means. Said, a pianist himself, focuses primarily on his favorite, Glenn Gould. If you're interested, I just downloaded his discography in Lossless format from some Russian dude. I'd always appreciated Gould's recordings of the Goldberg Variations, but had no idea just how good he was, more, I had no conception of the depth of his take on the contemporary classical artist. The parallels with the literary critic -- exhibited by Said -- are spot on, and maybe this is why I see performance piano and literary studies as so parallel, but also why I approach litcriting like getting a piece up for performance. Also probably my interest in Kerouac's musical prose. I digress. Argerich is of the school with which I aligned myself (Russian, most interested in performing Chopin, Rachmaninoff, Scriban, Liszt), though compared to her I am a novice. Said criticizes her (and Ashkenezy, Van Cliburn, and many others, while acknowledging their virtuousity) for not bringing out anything new, as Gould did for Bach. I'm not sure this is a valid criticism, though I can see truth in it. Which is to say, I think some of the performers he criticizes do bring out new things, which make them incredibly worthwhile. It's just that what Gould did for Bach can't be done because there are only so many Bachs (though there are a lot, aren't there, i.e., big family), and so many Goulds.
I'm tangential this morning. Luckily, though, not triangular. I'll just burn you a DVD with a slough of tracks of piano. Mostly solo, though there are some concertos which I think are sublime. Also bring the Said articles for you, you can read or not. I've been unexpectedly occupied MW mornings but will try to meet up in the near future, maybe tomorrow @ Waddiks?
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