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Feel free to name one or many. By greatest musicians I mean the level of their musical understanding, interpretive ability, ability to move an audience, or anything else not purely related to technical prowess. Of course, it's possible that your selections for greatest musicians could include someone who is also a technical monster. A video link to one of their performances showcasing their musicianship would be appreciated.
I have difficulty making this choice, and I think it's probably even more subjective than one's choice for greatest technician. But here are a few that come to mind, not necessarily "greatest" but at least great:
Trifonov for sure. I had the pleasure of hearing Grosvenor live and yes, he definitely belongs there. Also heard Igor Levit live and he also belongs in that category too in my opinion. https://youtu.be/XLixl7YQC9U His 3 cd set of variations (Goldbergs, Diabelli, and People United Will Never Be Defeated) are outstanding!
So they're all equal in terms of musical ability? Hard to understand what you mean.
I think you understand what I meant. I'll clarify a bit for you though.
There is no pianist today who can really dig into the nerve of the music and bring it to the audience. Given the strength of the material they have to work with, what are they doing? They are lighting matches when they could be starting bonfires.There is no pianist today that can make an audience cry playing the Moonlight Sonata. Do you know that is a sad piece? Bartok cried when Liszt played it.
We can go further. Ravel Valse is a beautiful multi-layered piece, with interesting textures and rhythms throughout, but it is dance music. If no one in the audience wants to get up and dance when you play it, then you have failed musically. Maybe it's because these pianists have never danced a waltz, they don't know what it's like to dance rhythmically into the night with a person in your arms.
So they're all equal in terms of musical ability? Hard to understand what you mean.
I think you understand what I meant. I'll clarify a bit for you though.
There is no pianist today who can really dig into the nerve of the music and bring it to the audience. Given the strength of the material they have to work with, what are they doing? They are lighting matches when they could be starting bonfires.There is no pianist today that can make an audience cry playing the Moonlight Sonata. Do you know that is a sad piece? Bartok cried when Liszt played it.
I couldn't disagree more. I think there are hundreds or even thousands of young pianists who can do what you say none of them can do.
I had no idea what you meant until you explained it further because I couldn't imagine why or how someone would be so negative about today's pianists.
Does a pianist have to be as good as Liszt to get your approval? It seems like you're saying that the greatest pianists are severely lacking. and that sounds preposterous to me.
So they're all equal in terms of musical ability? Hard to understand what you mean.
I think you understand what I meant. I'll clarify a bit for you though.
There is no pianist today who can really dig into the nerve of the music and bring it to the audience. Given the strength of the material they have to work with, what are they doing? They are lighting matches when they could be starting bonfires.There is no pianist today that can make an audience cry playing the Moonlight Sonata. Do you know that is a sad piece? Bartok cried when Liszt played it.
I couldn't disagree more. I think there are hundreds or even thousands of young pianists who can do what you say none of them can do.
I had no idea what you meant until you explained it further because I couldn't imagine why or how someone would be so negative about today's pianists.
Does a pianist have to be as good as Liszt to get your approval? It seems like you're saying that the greatest pianists are severely lacking. and that sounds preposterous to me.
I'm sorry I couldn't help you understand more. I did the best I know how.