From Mozart's fabulous legato that "flowed like oil" to Beethoven's oceanlike surge, from Clara Schumann's touch "sharp as a pencil sketch" to Rubinstein's volcanic and sensual playing, The Great Pianists brings to life the brilliant, stylish, and sometimes eccentric personalities, methods, and technical peculiarities of history's greatest pianists. Pulitzer Prize-winning critic and author Harold C. Schonberg presents vivid accounts of the artists' performances, styles, and even their personal lives and quirky ...
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From Mozart's fabulous legato that "flowed like oil" to Beethoven's oceanlike surge, from Clara Schumann's touch "sharp as a pencil sketch" to Rubinstein's volcanic and sensual playing, The Great Pianists brings to life the brilliant, stylish, and sometimes eccentric personalities, methods, and technical peculiarities of history's greatest pianists. Pulitzer Prize-winning critic and author Harold C. Schonberg presents vivid accounts of the artists' performances, styles, and even their personal lives and quirky characteristics-- such as Mozart's intense competition with Clementi, Lizst's magnetic effect on women (when he played, ladies flung their jewels on stage), and Gottschalk's persistent nailbiting, which left the keys covered with blood. Including profiles of Horowitz and Van Cliburn, among others, and chapters detailing the playing and careers of such modern pianists as de Larrocha, Ashkenazy, Gilels, Gould, Brendel, Bolet, Gutierrez, and Watts, The Great Pianists is a comprehensive and fascinating look at legendary performers past and present.
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Add this copy of The Great Pianists: From Mozart to the Present to cart. $1.92, good condition, Sold by Zoom Books Company rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Lynden, WA, UNITED STATES, published 1987 by Simon & Schuster.
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Book is in good condition and may contain underlining or highlighting and minimal wear. The book can also include library labels. May not contain miscellaneous items (toys, dvds, etc). We offer 100% money back guarantee and fast customer support.
Add this copy of Great Pianists to cart. $2.40, good condition, Sold by ThriftBooks-Atlanta rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Brownstown, MI, UNITED STATES, published 1987 by Simon & Schuster.
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Add this copy of Great Pianists to cart. $2.40, good condition, Sold by ThriftBooks-Dallas rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Dallas, TX, UNITED STATES, published 1987 by Simon & Schuster.
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Add this copy of The Great Pianists: From Mozart to the Present to cart. $2.40, fair condition, Sold by Valleys Books & More rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Roanoke, VA, UNITED STATES, published 1987 by Simon & Schuster.
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Fair. The cover of this paperback book has curled corners. This paperback book shows normal wear and tear. The edges of the pages have markings, spots, or stains. Shipped to you from Goodwill of the Valleys, Roanoke VA. Thank you for your support!
Add this copy of The Great Pianists: From Mozart to the Present to cart. $2.46, fair condition, Sold by Blue Vase Books rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Interlochen, MI, UNITED STATES, published 1987 by Simon & Schuster.
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Fair. The item is very worn but continues to work perfectly. Signs of wear can include aesthetic issues such as scratches, dents, worn and creased covers, folded page corners and minor liquid stains. All pages and the cover are intact, but the dust cover may be missing. Pages may include moderate to heavy amount of notes and highlighting, but the text is not obscured or unreadable. Page edges may have foxing (age related spots and browning). May NOT include discs, access code or other supplemental materials.
Add this copy of The Great Pianists: From Mozart to the Present to cart. $2.95, fair condition, Sold by Dream Books Co. rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Denver, CO, UNITED STATES, published 1987 by Simon & Schuster.
Add this copy of The Great Pianists: From Mozart to the Present to cart. $4.00, very good condition, Sold by HPB-Diamond rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Dallas, TX, UNITED STATES, published 1987 by Simon & Schuster.
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Very good. Connecting readers with great books since 1972! Used books may not include companion materials, and may have some shelf wear or limited writing. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority!
Add this copy of The Great Pianists: From Mozart to the Present to cart. $4.00, very good condition, Sold by Half Price Books Inc rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Dallas, TX, UNITED STATES, published 1987 by Simon & Schuster.
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Very good. Connecting readers with great books since 1972! Used books may not include companion materials, and may have some shelf wear or limited writing. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority!
I accidentally found this book, wasn't even looking for it, but I'm so glad I did. Really fascinating and well researched book on the early piano scene. Like boots on the ground.
Bit of modern luck, the author kept referring to pieces of music that have been "lost" because the reader will never hear them again performed. Enter Spotify - a dream for classical music lovers. Every obscure piece that he described was on there and I was able to just call it up and listen as he did his description.
I've already passed this book on to my friend for reading. Really great.
(Disclaimer: I just got back into taking piano as an adult, and suddenly discovered that Bach isn't a stuffy old guy, but someone who wrote amazing music)
claudebussy
Jan 31, 2008
Best book for classical pianists
A superb work of art on the history of piano players for the past 300 years. Thoughtful and personal delving into the lives of all the great pianists. My third reading of this work and relishing more and more appreciating these masters.