Why would a pianist and piano teacher be so interested in a masterclass for a young string quartet at CMU? Because I am interested in garnering any advice given in the name of better performance of music, whether played by piano or any other instrument! David Harrington of the Kronos Quartet visited CMU on his way to a performance through Pittsburgh Chamber Music, and it was most interesting. I couldn't help but be struck by his great interest in the beginning of the work played by the student quartet (sadly, I couldn't hear the title of the piece, and it was unfamiliar to me, but I thought it to be a fascinating piece)......David suggested the performers do much more in the way of gesture, not only to communicate to the audience, but to inform the music itself. This made me think about solo piano performances needing the same. Visual gestures can carry the same information as the sound; much emotional information is conveyed not just to the audience, but back to the performer. Interesting to think more about..........
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