Harold Schonberg The Great Pianists Pdf
Insights into Rubinstein, Thalberg, and the era of the virtuoso.
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Readers consistently praise the book’s readability and entertaining nature. One Amazon.in reviewer called it “an excellent book. Entertaining, well written, interesting from the historical and musical point of view”. On LibraryThing, users describe it as “fascinating” and “indispensable,” noting that it “really gives you some idea of how the great pianists of the past... approached their work and what the pre-recording era ones probably sounded like”. A Goodreads reviewer, after reading the book, declared, “I listened to Rubinstein’s music for weeks after reading this book,” a testament to Schonberg’s ability to rekindle a reader’s passion for the art form.
: Known for his "good ears," Schonberg was quick to identify sloppy technique while remaining an excellent judge of how an audience reacted to the "theatrical" side of performance. Where to Find the Book The great pianists : Schonberg, Harold C - Internet Archive Harold Schonberg The Great Pianists Pdf
For classical music enthusiasts, piano students, and history buffs, few books hold as much reverence as The Great Pianists by Harold C. Schonberg. First published in 1963 and revised in 1987, this seminal work remains the definitive biographical history of piano playing from the late 18th century to the late 20th century.
: Much of the book is dedicated to the 19th-century titans like Liszt, whose magnetic presence caused "Lisztomania," and Chopin, the "poetic" master of rubato. Personalities and Quirks
Insightful profiles of Anton Rubinstein, Sigismond Thalberg, and Ignacy Jan Paderewski, analyzing their impact on audiences and technique. Insights into Rubinstein, Thalberg, and the era of
The Legacy of Harold Schonberg: Why "The Great Pianists" Remains a Masterpiece
: The book details specific performance traits, such as Mozart’s "oil-like" legato, Beethoven’s "oceanlike surge," and Clara Schumann’s "sharp as a pencil sketch" touch.
: Deep dives into Chopin, Liszt, and the "Thunder from the East". A Goodreads reviewer, after reading the book, declared,
One of the book's greatest strengths is Schonberg's engaging writing style, which makes the book an enjoyable read despite its considerable length. His vivid descriptions of the pianists' performances, personalities, and lives provide a unique glimpse into the world of classical music. The book is also well-organized, with a clear chronological structure that allows readers to follow the evolution of piano music over time.
For those interested in accessing "The Great Pianists" in PDF format, there are several options available. Many online libraries and bookstores offer digital versions of the book, which can be downloaded or read online. Some popular platforms for accessing e-books include:
Before hunting down a file, one must understand what makes this book legendary. Harold Schonberg (1915–2003) was the chief music critic for The New York Times and the only music critic to ever win the Pulitzer Prize for criticism (1971). He was a pianist himself, and his writing crackles with the energy of a live performance.