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Good! You should be fine, then, no matter how many silly pronouncements you make.

I don't think I'm quite alone in making silly pronouncements.

Well, a pure artist (better way of putting it) is only concerned with their creation - they could care less what others think about it. They do it for themselves - if others like it, great. If not, too bad. Often they are introverted in a concert setting and aren't thinking necessarily about projecting their music outward, but instead making it for themselves. As a pianist, Glenn Gould seems closest to this.

Other pianists exist to please crowds because their calling is to share lovingly, and so they focus on playing in away that they know will delight audiences. There was a Van Cliburn winning pianist who came by our school for a master class and concert, and his style was like this. Of course he was a complete package as far as music and technique, but he was very much about projecting and creating a connection with the crowd and even non-pianists / non-classical listeners were really enjoying his playing. That's actually saying a lot, because less people than you think can get into solo piano music unless the playing is truly phenomenal.

In the end Glenn Gould stopped performing because he was tired of audiences and what they expected from him. I expect that Vadym Kholodenko will keep playing as long as he has an audience to delight.

Obviously, no pianist exists entirely at one end or the other. But that's the illustration of the concept anyway, sir socrates.

Hello to all again!

My concert was yesterday. It went well finally.

A few things to share with you:

-I was trembling again,I couldn't control it, but I controlled my mind at least and the fact that I knew how to play it

-Some of you told me to take the fast part just a little slower and to think "melody", not "speed". That's what I did. Noone noticed it was slower.

-I still believe that I could play it better (if I weren't trembling, if I was alone). But everyone said they were excited. Ok, they might wanted to make me feel good, but still, I'm relieved and happy

I'll keep many of the advices given in this topic, I kept reading them these days and they helped me a lot, REALLY. I hope that next time I'll be able to control it a little better. And I'll use some advices for impriving my technique also. Actually I don't think I'm a person who doesn't like performing. I like it, I run for it but in the days before it I get frightened. Anyway Thanks again!

ranunculus :

I am glad to read that your performance was successful. I think almost all of us, regardless of our level of skill and artistry, and regardless of how much experience we have performing, all have some degree of nervousness before a performance.

As others have said, in most cases, the more one performs, the easier it becomes to perform. That doesn't mean that there won't be occasions when nerves may somewhat compromise a performance, but as we learn to channel that nervous energy into the performance moment, those compromises can become fewer and thus have a diminishing negative effect on our playing.

One of the most satisfying feelings that we pianists can have is to feel we have done well and to acknowledge appreciation from those who sincerely enjoyed our performances.

Regards,

well said, BruceD !

Glad it went well Ranunculus congratulations

Happy to hear that you felt things went well. That always provides great motivation. Things will get easier for you with time and experience... you just have to get out there and do it.

My first paying job came at 12 as a church organist. I'd played for audiences numerous times to that point as I'd been playing since the age of 4. But that first morning up in the loft I was trembling so badly that I could barely keep my fingers on the keyboard and my legs were bouncing so badly I was doing all I could to keep my feet on the pedals... hahaha! It went well, but I was scared to death and a sweaty mess. I remember thinking that I wasn't entirely sure I could keep doing it, but I went back the next Sunday and until I was 24 filled four different organist positions (with the exception of two) every single Sunday. The experience helped immensely and kept me from becoming a wreck playing for some of the greats over the years and gave me the ability to stay calm through hundreds of concerts.

Are you ever going to tell us who you are, stores? I'm very interested to know.

Ah, one of PC's great mysteries. You will know who stores is on the same day you know whether or not BachMach2 is for real.

And Poly, while we're at it, are you ever going to tell us who YOU are????

Funny thing, when I joined the Forums I assumed that anonymity was NOT the norm. That's what the "profiles" are for - right?? I can certainly understand and respect why some folks prefer to maintain their anonymity, but I personally have no problem with putting myself out there - warts and all.

Ah yes - when HECK freezes over !!