Basic Principles in Pianoforte Playing

By Josef Lhevinne and Josef Lhbevinne

Book Overview

This little book, written at the height of his career by Josef Lhevinne, the "inward poet of the piano," is a clear statement of principles based on his lifelong experience in performance and... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0486228207
• ISBN13: 9780486228204
• Release Date: June 1972
• Publisher: Dover Publications
• Length: 48 Pages
• Weight: 0.26 lbs.
• Dimensions: 8.4" x 0.2" x 5.4"

Customer Reviews

A Gem from a Giant

In a way, I can understand the attitude of the reviewer below who prefers to play the piano with a waffle iron --- that is, who claims all notes sound the same no matter how the keys are struck. What a tragic attitude. But it is true, also, that in the latter half of the 20th Century, much of piano playing was reduced to the mere technicalities of hitting the right notes in the right places at the right time, the poetry of the music pretty much forgotten, displaced by waffle iron tachnique. Lhevinne truly is one of the pianistic giants of the first half of the last century, among the giants of the late Russian romantic school. Schonberg (I think it was) wrote of him as among the pantheon of performers, along with his colleagues Levitzky, Rosenthal, Rubenstein and such youngsters as Horowitz and the forever young Earl Wild. Rachmaninov said Lhevinne had the greatest left hand technique of any pianist. His few recordings, even though not re-mastered, leave you breathless. I am willing to enjoy the idiocyncratic few pages of such a giant. If you were into baseball, wouldn't you enjoy a few pages of Joe diMaggio? Of course, probably not, if you use a waffle iron instead of a bat.

Worth every page

Perhaps the previous reviewer did not take note of the title - "Basic Principles in Piano Forte Playing", which is just what it is - nothing more, nothing less. Josef Lehvinne is of the old school of thinking, namely, he believes that only meisters should be teaching how to play music, although he grudgingly acknowledges that demand outstrips supply and American "method" teaching has reached acceptable standards. I dread what he would think of me trying to teach myself. I could make fun of his attitude, but in reality he is a perfectionist, and that is what it really takes to make an outstanding musician of any instrument. Furthermore, he shares in a very readable style what is important when mastering the piano. Even a beginner like me can appreciate the value of his very generous advice. Every page has at least one or more important gems, and his style of writing is such that you are sure to remember them!

Wonderful

Josef Lhevinne has done an oustanding job in BASIC PRINCIPLES IN PIANOFORTE PLAYING. He covers many useful topics such as sight-reading, rhythm, practice, using the pedal, legato, but the majority of this book is devoted to the secret of a beautiful tone. Although this book is very short (the material is supposed to be basic, after all), Lhevinne manages to effectively illustrate everything he presents by applying each principle to excerpts from well-known classical pieces. As a pianist who is trying to improve his technique, I would highly recommend this to anyone who is seeking to do the same.

Basic Principles in Pianoforte Playing

This book has a wealth of information. It is a both scholarly and concise read, with musical terminology and examples to please serious pianists, but written in a style that is helpful to amateurs as well. Its shorter length and lower price make it an ideal study tool for high school and college piano students.

Not only is he a brilliant pianist, he's a wonderful teacher

Anyone listening to Josef Lhevinne's thirds etude by Chopin (op 25/6) will testify that he's got a wealth of technique, brilliance, and amazing tone. In his encompassing yet concise book he attempts to portray is very artisic beliefs to the reader. This book will help even the most advanced pianist, and the ideas presented are very clear and easy to understand. Lhevinne spares no effort to decorate his book with extensive excerpts by famous composers, mainly Chopin, Rubinstein, Liszt and Schumann. A recommended read for all pianists and anyone who enjoys listening to this great instrument. The book is relevant to all pianists regardless of level.