In an earlier posting titled “Madmen of the piano” I focused on composers. Here let’s focus on the pianists.
I’ve recently spent a lot of time updating my Chopin collection; seeking out the greatest pianists I can find. The more I listen to these virtuosic dynamos … the more amazed I am that the human body can accomplish these feats. How can fingers move so rapidly? How can the rythym and timing of striking the right note go on and on … when it’s different between the two hands? – Sometimes a variable speed, rythm, reach and tone going on between the two hands. I don’t get it. I mean… they don’t all have a touch of Tourettes Syndrome do they!?
(*I remember reading that some Tourettes people have much faster reflexes and mechanical movements than normal)
Just listen to, and watch, what 10 fingers, 2 hands, 2 wrists and forearms can do!
(My vote for the “impossible” goes to Cziffra in the video)
Claudio Arrua plays Chopin’s Etude #1 op. 10
Georges Cziffra – Chopin Etude Op. 25 No. 2
Martha Argerich – Chopin prelude 16, op. 28
Vladimir Horowitz – Franz Liszt / Tarentella