The interpretation of music by major pianists of the twentieth century

Abstract

This dissertation gives an indication towards pianistic techniques of six major pianists of the twentieth century, namely Alfred Cortot (1877 - 1962), Artur Rubinstein (1887 - 1982), Artur Schnabel (1882 – 1951), Sviatoslav Richter (1915 - 1997), Earl Wild (1915 - 2010), Shura Cherkassky (1909-1995). Their methods are considered in terms of pieces by Frédéric Chopin (1810 – 1849), Ludwig van Beethoven (1770 - 1827), Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (1840 – 1893) and Franz Liszt (1811 – 1886). The first chapter gives a general overview of what makes a great performance. This is, followed by the Literature Review which examines performing techniques which made the great pianists chosen to stand out. The study has been conducted by consulting various sources. The methodology then puts forward the techniques conducted within the dissertation process. The investigations found in chapter two are applied to chapter four which is split according to composer. Each piece of music performed in the recital is explored and the information examined in the literature review is now observed in line with the recordings of the pieces. Finally, a general conclusion is drawn with a few possibilities for further studies into the subject.