Piano World Home Page Forums Our Most Popular Forums Pianist Corner Valentina Lisitsa in Practice.... LIVE

She's been playing the Chopin Op 2 since at least the late 90s, so it's definitely not new or unfamiliar to her.

-Daniel

Her energy, focus, capacity, and endurance during those practice sessions is unlike anything I could imagine.

Not only is it an inspiration for me to practice with greater focus, but what a joy it is to watch and listen to such a gifted pianist play all those pieces. Look forward to a time when she comes to Denver!

Glen

No wonder she is so good. Since I came to the office, I turned on her practicing website. I have been working more than 4 hours, and she is still practicing....

This is the way to improve!!

There is no reason for me to doubt that this is the way "for her" to improve. But I think one needs to be a bit more careful about generalizing it. At least, according to his one of his DVDs, Hamelin would spend some time just walking and thinking about his music. Or, Richter stated that he would almost never practice more than 3 hours each day.

But Richter was no ordinary mortal.

I am not going to assume that she is ordinary mortal. If both she and Richter are no ordinary mortal, there seems to be a difference in their attitudes toward practice time.

Richter said that but apparently Nina Dorliak said different.

Considering Richter, I believe Nina.

Definately In his DVD he mentions the 3hrs thing, then the interview cuts to her laughing at that quote and doesn't she mention that he did '8-9hrs'? Then the camera cuts back to Richter and he then has to concede:

"...well, sometimes... if I had to learn something at short notice".

So from that, I would believe Nina also!

Her technique is fluid and relaxed but does anyone else find her dynamics rather flat?

I would venture to guess that that is an artifact of the compressed internet stream.

I think you are right. Last night I compared a video I posted on youtube with the original file I have, the one on youtube clearly does not sound as good as the original file.

Also, she *is* practicing. She's making music out of it, of course, but maybe there's a layer of expression that she's holding back on, at least for some of the session.

Still the coolest and most illuminating thing I've seen online in years.


-Jason

She is PRACTICING, not performing.

I find it all very intriquing.

PL, last nite she verified your note on all three being used in her playing at the same time - in a chat session at midnight.

Such a gift this is... Astonishing!

Glen

Last weekend for this, don't miss it if you haven't seen it already. Last two days!

I also think anyone can set up this kind of thing. Nice piece of furniture at the moment and as I'm going to bed too, that's fine by me.

This was very inspirational. One thing I found interesting was Val's explanation for the big cussion on top of the piano - to protect her from broken strings - apparently she broke 15 learning Prok second. I was guessing she probably slept there!

I wonder how many others at her level do 12 hours+ practice (but just don't admit it)..

Most of them.

Maybe that's the definition of her level. The ones above that level don't need to.

Didn't Chopin say that more than 3-4 hours was useless and harmful? Not that his is the only word on the matter, but I really don't think that many of the top level pianists go in for that kind of grueling schedule unless it is some kind of extraordinary situation, and then they only do it for a short period. At least that's the impression I get from the ones I've known, and from reading what various top pianists and teachers have to say about practice.

To my ear, Lisitsa's YouTube performances (I've never heard her live) have an oddly mechanized quality that can come from over-practice, and I don't think it does much for the music.