About this item
Highlights
- Russell Sherman has been hailed as "that rarest of performers--a thinking man's virtuoso" (Chicago Tribune), and Piano Pieces is his scintillating excursion into the world of piano and its multiple spheres of affect and influence.
- About the Author: Russell Sherman is an internationally renowned classical pianist who has performed with the country's leading orchestras.
- 256 Pages
- Music, Musical Instruments
Description
Book Synopsis
Russell Sherman has been hailed as "that rarest of performers--a thinking man's virtuoso" (Chicago Tribune), and Piano Pieces is his scintillating excursion into the world of piano and its multiple spheres of affect and influence. From pithy reflections on tone, technique, and the thorny matter of thumbs to ruminations on how such a machine could be the voice and repository of priceless human messages both lyrical and complex, Piano Pieces examines the current status of music, piano-playing, and pedagogy through the noisy filter of contemporary culture.
From the Back Cover
Russell Sherman has been hailed as "that rarest of performers - a thinking man's virtuoso" (Chicago Tribune), and Piano Pieces is his scintillating excursion into the world of piano and its multiple spheres of affect and influence. From pithy reflections on tone, technique, and the thorny matter of thumbs, to ruminations on how such a machine could be the voice and repository of priceless human messages both lyrical and complex, Piano Pieces examines the current status of music, piano playing, and pedagogy through the noisy filter of contemporary culture. How are the materials of piano music transferred to a younger generation raised in an environment so antagonistic to ideals, concentration, and aesthetic judgment? How are children encouraged to join lifelong crusades in behalf of beauty, compassion, and responsibility? How does a page of Mozart translate into a vision of kindness and courage?Review Quotes
"Startling . . . Dreamily link observations about the experience of piano playing and a thousand other unexpected subjects." --The New Yorker
"The most original and arresting and powerful pianist today." --Richard Dyer, The Boston Globe "I had always thought that words could not add very much value to music. But Piano Pieces opened both my eyes and my ears. Russell Sherman plays on the page with as much mastery as upon the keyboard. His writing is music, is melody, is counterpoint. On hears it even as one reads it. A tour de force. The passages on Chopin are particularly brilliant. Bravo!" --James LordAbout the Author
Russell Sherman is an internationally renowned classical pianist who has performed with the country's leading orchestras. He was born in New York City and lives in Lexington, Massachusetts. He teaches at the New England Conservatory.