Interpreting Piano Music - one size fits all?  Is this what the composer intended?
Channel: Tommy's Piano Corner
Date: 09/09/2019

This video looks at where there is only one right way to play something on piano - must we always replicate exactly what the composer intended?

This is another of those topics that divides opinion amongst pianists - even amongst the best in the world.  There are those who believe that the score must be the absolute source of information and those that believe the music is hidden behind the dots.  There are those who follow every indication to the letter, and those that have let's say a 'more relaxed' view of things.  Yet, as pianists they are equally skilled!

Given the constant arrival of new records covering music that is in some cases hundreds of years old, clearly there can be no one single 'right' way of interpreting.  For we hobbyists keen to ensure we are playing a piece as well as we can, this can also get confusing as interpretations differ so much.

The way forward is to understand as much as we can from the dots in front of us - this needs to always be our starting point.   However, as I demonstrate in this video, beyond that there's nothing wrong with going with your own personal feelings on a piece of music.

Check out my video on Classical Music Streaming Services - a great way to study music by composers to help with your own interpretive choices: https://youtu.be/4XGrj3C8hvg


EQUIPMENT:
Fully details of all equipment used are available on my blog at the address below:
http://tommyspianocorner.com/youtube-equipment/ 
Filmed on an iPhone 8+ - using the Filmic Pro app
Audio captured on an iPhone 6S using a Shure MV88 Microphone
Vocals captured on a Rode SmartLav microphone plugged into an iPhone 4S
Video editing done using iMovie
Audio editing done using Garageband

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