Artistry in piano teaching by William Brown
Menahem Pressler, the renowned pianist and teacher is lovingly profiled in the book “Menahem Pressler artistry and piano
teaching “by William Brown from Indiana University press 2009
The biography traces the early years and development of this fine pianist, teacher, and musician. A couple of points stand out:
1. The importance of receiving correct and enthusiastic instruction from the earliest years.
2. The power of the human spirit to overcome seemingly insurmountable problems and threats.
3. I was inspired to read of Mr. Pressler’s passion for lifelong learning. Where ever he was, Pressler would seek out instruction from the finest teacher in the area. His continued seeking guidance well after he had established himself as a professional pianist. His search for excellent teachers and new influences for his life led him to seek the best he could find, both in Europe and in America. The lineage of these various teachers reaches into the history to Bach, Beethoven, Haydn, Mozart, Liszt, and Chopin and includes the Germanic, French, and Russian traditions. He became carefully schooled in the details of form, musical theory, and style. He learned to incorporate the relaxed approach into his own playing and his teaching. His desire for perfection came from being highly demanding both of himself and his students. His amazing love for practicing as well as performing lends a quality of delight to his music making and teaching.
4. As a teacher he sought the following qualities and prospective students: “I look for character, attitude, a sense of inner discipline, a force that would help the students succeed. You have to come with everything, with a love for it, with the desire to really devote your life to it.” He says he looks for coordination… that the hands are good. “And I look for intelligence, so that I know they will understand what I have to say to them. We must do anything to help a person find his maximum, how few do find it. I want them to be motivated and to continue after the decree, after getting a job, and so forth I wanted to keep the desire, no matter where they end up because that place where they are is the musical center for them. If you continue to live that way, you will make yourself happy and will make others around you happy. You will not feel that you are just a poor pianist who makes a poor salary, but that you are rich man."
Cheers
David
