To know is always a mixed blessing, because it can cause one to be biased. This openness, I believe, can be very easily lost in the process of learning. Both of my teachers work almost all of the time on the musical aspects of a piece. For a lesson, I try to have all technical matters completed and interpretations in place ahead of time. I am seriously hoping that I can come up with some sort of solution within the next 2 remaining years.
Nothing matters more than one's mentality towards what they do.
The biggest potential pitfall is falling into a rut of practicing or playing by rote. The most recent experience that I've had that I think I'll remember vividly for a long time is playing the Korngold concerto with an orchestra in Florida this past November. Their part is tremendously difficult. Just look at those ancient Greek and Roman writings, or, for that matter, Shakespeare. Although I have no strong taste, I love to especially listen to works by Prokofiev and Elgar, my two favorite composers.