I must have over 20 books on my shelves specifically about piano playing, technique, methods of study etc., and on top of that there are all the books I've borrowed and read but never bought.

But a few days ago, browsing in the local Music Shop, I came across a very famous little book that I had heard about but for some reason had never previously read:

The Art of Piano Playing by Heinrich Neuhaus


He is not didactic. He doesn't have a system. But it is a magnificent book. Without doubt the best of the lot. In fact with this book in hand I don't think I need the others.


Apologies to those wiser and more experienced forumites who already know about this inspirational gem.

Yeah, its is most definately a fantastic book. Unfortunately I dont own a copy(lucky you for having one!) since ive never managed to track down a copy to buy but I have actually lost count of the amount of times I have taken it out from the city library where I am ! I have read it and re-read it many many times but still gain something new from it each time.
I dont know what else to say really!

You should be able to get it from Amazon - I ordered mine from there a couple of years ago with no problem - and yes - 'tis a great book!

My teacher has recommended this book to me, singing its praises. You can get it on Amazon, I've checked. I've still to order mine so look forward to reading it.

Until recently I had never read anything, book or otherwise, about how to play, practice, study, learn, teach, listen to, appreciate, understand or otherwise enhance the experience of music in any way, shape or form at all, let alone the piano. As far as I'm concerned the whole field is a bit of an Aladdin's cave - I've stumbled into it, tripped over some of the treasure and had a fumble around, and I think I may be getting a feel for the general shape of things. Now I'm looking for the light switch! In the meantime I feel that every new discovery makes me a better practicer, if not a better player.

Would that sort of book be for me to buy at a Grade 1-2 level? Or is it for the higher levels?
Bev.

I would say it has something for all levels. The style of the book is a little idiosyncratic and old-fashioned, but all the more appealing for that, IMHO. I love these books by the 'old masters' - there are quite a few available and they all have fascinating and useful things to say.

Agree with you about the Aladdin's Cave feeling, Robodoc. I'm over here in the corner with my little pickaxe..

I've just ordered it at my library....

I knew that university library membership would be worth the £60.00... Just checked their catalogue on-line, and there it is, waiting for me on the shelf. Until some student grabs it, of course...

Sounds like a great book.

Can't resist a quote or two:

"As I study some beautiful musical composition with my pupils, I mentally draw up a work graph in accordance with their abilities; in one case the pupil needs merely to stretch out his hand, in the other - he would have to walk a hundred miles. But this does not alter my attitude to the music (a distant star does not cease to shine brightly for me). I merely change my teaching method.."

"You get carried away, elated, excitement overcomes you and it may be that from sheer joy you break into some exotic dance between pieces or burst into song and then there is a knock at the door and a pupil comes in (and one who is below average on top of it all) and you have to sit down and struggle with her and worm your way through the "Moonlight" Sonata or a Chopin Ballade already so much picked to bits as to have lost all meaning, and repeat the same thing for the thousandth time....If the state I was in before the lesson was like a sunny day in May, after the lesson it was like a November puddle".

I could go on and on...

These are a couple of my favourites (from the opening chapter on "The Artistic Image":

"Our purpose is modest, and at the same time vast; it is to play our amazing, our magnificent piano literature in such a way as to make the hearer like it, make him love life still more, make his feelings more intense, his longings more acute, and give greater depth to his understanding"

"Talent is passion plus intellect"

"Whoever is moved by music to the depths of his soul, and works on his instrument like one possessed, who loves music and his instrument with passion, will acquire virtuoso technique; he will be able to recreate the artistic image of the composition; he will be a performer"

<------- "like one possessed, and with passion"

Well, I ordered it, but a message has come back to say that the book has gone missing from the library

Oh no! Ask them to do an inter-library loan. There is a copy in Cheltenham Music Library (I've just checked the website and it is available)

Will do!

Resurecting an oldish topic here I know but for anyone whos interested there are actually a few of Neuhaus lectures on youtube(sound only) that someone has uploaded... aswel as a few sound clips of him playing. Youd need to be very fluent in Russian to understand the lectures though, and I dont speak russian so I cant understand a single word.. theyre still interesting though!

http://www.youtube.com/results?search_quer...haus&page=1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3xmUuWPelk4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vV_vqdxnFQs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8D9G_obdqVs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6M3h--upEfw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jdfMzKxY0qs


Any volunteers to translate them?