Chopin: Pianist and Teacher as Seen by His Pupils

This is the first English paperback edition of the unique collection of documents, edited and annotated by Jean-Jacques Eigeldinger, which reveal Chopin as teacher and interpreter of his own music. From the accounts of his pupils, acquaintances and contemporaries, together with his own writing, we gain valuable insight into Chopin?s pianistic and stylistic practice, his teaching methods and his aesthetic beliefs. The documents are divided into two categories: those concerning technique and style, two notions inseparable in Chopin?s mind, and those concerning the interpretation of Chopin?s works. Extensive appendix material presents, for the first time in English, Chopin?s essay ?Sketch for a method?, as well as annotated scores belonging to Chopin?s pupils and acquaintances, and personal accounts of Chopin?s playing as experienced by his contemporaries: composers and pianists, pupils and friends, writers and critics. The statements of Chopin?s own students in diaries, letters and reminiscences, written, dictated or conveyed by word of mouth, provide the bulk of these accounts. Throughout the book Professor Eigeldinger?s detailed annotations, both critical and explanatory, add a valuable scholary dimension, creating an indispensable guide to the authentic performance of Chopin?s piano works.

CONTENIDO

List of illustrations
Acknowledgements
Explanation of references; Editor?s note
Abbreviations
Introduction
1. Technique and style
2. Interpretation of Chopin?s work
Notes
List of Chopin?s pupils whose recollections are quoted in this book
Appendix
Bibliography
Index of persons; Index of musical works