Description
Book SynopsisThe (Well) Informed Piano addresses the technical, musical, artistic, ethical, and philosophical issues in piano methodology. Adding a new perspective and approach criteria to piano methodology, this book is essential reading for musicians, teachers, scholars, and music students. This text maintains continuity with the major contributions of Ludwig Deppe, Tobias Matthay, Grigory Kogan, Heinrich Neuhaus and George Kochevitsky.
Trade Review"I gladly recommend the attentive reading of The (Well) Informed Piano to the young (and not-so-young) pianist, and to take advantage from what the wide picture of the book offers. I find this publication to be timely and helpful." -- Dmitry Paperno, author, pianist, and piano professor
"Mr. Henriques book is a brave attempt to coordinate all aspects — mental, neurological, physiological and anatomical — and the result is a work containing much wisdom, whilst being commendably objective. His discussion of teaching, in particular, is relevant to all musicians. It is undoubtedly an important contribution to the literature of piano playing, teaching and learning." -- Richard Beauchamp, pianist and piano professor
"A fascinating, thought-provoking book which could benefit not only pianists, but also all musicians and music lovers — a worthy contribution." -- Vladimir Feltsman, pianist and piano professor
"This book offers readers not only a European based approach to piano interpretation and teaching, but also presents some philosophical matters that connect the organic growth of learning (or re-learning) work to the process of the pianist's own human development. Author-pianist-pedagogue Miguel Henriques does not lose sight of the technical issues either. Serious-minded pianists may enjoy the challenge of this thought-provoking tome." -- Nancy Lee Harper, author, pianist and piano professor
Table of ContentsPreface Operative Thoughts Units and Wholeness Issues on Music Interpretation’s Ethics The Approach to a Musical Piece The Performance Project A Performance Study Syllabus Form, Aesthetic and Style Repertoires Pianistic Technical Learnings Questioning Sound and Concept: A Complicity Study of Components The Mind Piano Practice Work Daily Routine Diversified Finger Exercises Rapid Passages Rhythm Sound Quality Other Specific Practice Work Piano Actions Heavy and Light The Consciousness of Love The Spheres in The Loser The 24 Preludes by Lopes Graça A View on António Fragoso’s Music Piano Performance Pedagogy An Individual Relationship Bibliography Illustrations Index Musical Examples Index Index About the Author
