French Pianism: A Historical Perspective

by Charles Timbrell (Editor)

Overview

The undisputed preeminence of Paris as a center of the piano world dates from the early nineteenth century, and the rigorous professors of the Paris Conservatoire transmitted the characteristic French piano style faithfully to each new generation for some 150 years. First published to critical acclaim in 1992, this landmark study, now considerably expanded and revised, surveys the historical development, performance practices, and pedogogical philosophies of this vital school of piano playing.

The author, himself a virtuoso pianist, studied with several proponents of the jeu perlé, that uniquely French style of playing categorized by rapid, clean, even passage work, note after note "bright and perfectly formed, like each pearl on a necklace." Over a fifteen-year period, he conducted more than seventy interviews with notable French pianists, many of them new to this edition and all of them frank and lively conversationalists, ranging from a ninety-six-year-old Paul Loyonnet--an important link to the traditions of the nineteenth century--to emerging young talents of today. Also included in this edition are the author's detailed recollections of his own lessons with such luminaries as Gaby Casadesus, Jeanne-Marie Darré, Monique Haas, Eric Heidsieck, and Magda Tagliaferro.

Charles Timbrell, professor of piano and coordinator of keyboard studies at Howard University, is an active pianist, writer, and music critic. He lives in Washington, D.C.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781871082661
Publisher:	Kahn & Averill Publishers
Publication date:	12/31/2006
Pages:	368
Product dimensions:	6.50(w) x 1.50(h) x 9.50(d)

About the Author

Charles Timbrell, professor of piano and coordinator of keyboard studies at Howard University, is an active pianist, writer, and music critic. He contributed more than fifty biographical articles on French pianists to _The New Grove Dictionary of Music_ and _Musicians_ and serves as editor of the _Journal of the American Liszt Society._

Table of Contents

Foreword by Gaby Casadesus Preface 1. The Nineteenth Century 2. Leading Artist-Teachers 1900-1940 3. Major Figures Since World War II 4. Interviews 5. Coda: The French School, Past and Present Appendix 1. Bibliographies of Interviewees Appendix 2. Piani Professors at the Paris Conservatoire 1795-1998 Appendix 3. Selected Discography Appendix 4. Selected Methods, Exercises and Etudes Notes, Selected Bibliography, Credits Index

Editorial Reviews

New edition of a survey in which Timbrell (piano, Howard University) presents the development, performance practices, and pedagogical philosophies of the French school of piano playing from its conception to the present forward-looking changes in the Conservatoire and the melding of the old French school with styles of other nations. In addition to recounting the history of piano making and the organizational and pedagogical structure of the French Conservatoire, he draws upon about 70 interviews with notable French-trained pianists as well his own lessons with famous teachers in order to illuminate teaching styles, curricula, and the imparting of the distinct French style on talented musicians of highly individual personalities and sensibilities. Contains many b&w photographs. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

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