Heinrich Neuhaus citations

Heinrich Goustavovitch Neuhaus est un pianiste soviétique Russe allemand, né à Elisavetgrad en Ukraine le 12 avril 1888 et mort à Moscou le 10 octobre 1964. Wikipedia

✵ 31. mars 1888 – 10. octobre 1964

Heinrich Neuhaus photo

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Heinrich Neuhaus: 2 citations0 J'aime

Heinrich Neuhaus: Citations en anglais

“As for the piano, I was left to my own devices practically from the age of twelve. As is frequently the case in teachers' families, our parents were so busy with their pupils (literally from morning until late at night) that they hardly had any time for their own children. And that, in spite of the fact that with the favourable prejudice common to all parents, they had a very high opinion of my gifts. (I myself had a much more sober attitude. I was always aware of a great many faults although at times I felt that I had in me something "not quite usual".) But I won't speak of this. As a pianist, I am known. My good and bad points are known and nobody can be interested in my "prehistoric period". I will only say that because of this early "independence" I did a lot of silly things which I could have easily avoided if I had been under the vigilant eye of an experienced and intelligent teacher for another three or four years. I lacked what is known as a "school". I lacked discipline. But it is an ill wind that blows nobody any good; my enforced independence compelled me, though sometimes by very devious ways, to achieve a great deal on my own and even my failures and errors subsequently proved more than once to be useful and educational, and in an occupation such as learning to master an art, where if not all, then almost all depends on individuality, the only sound foundation will always be the knowledge gained as the result of personal effort and personal experience.”

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Heinrich Neuhaus

The Art of Piano Playing (1958), Ch. 1. The Artistic Image of a Musical Composition

“In spite of the fact that this is merely a childish fancy, there is a particle of truth in it and I only mentioned it because now, with my tremendous teaching experience, I know too well how often even talented pupils, able to cope with their task, fail to realize with what tremendous manifestation of the human spirit they are dealing. Obviously this does not make for an artistic performance; in the best of cases they stagnate at the level of good workmanship.”

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Heinrich Neuhaus

The Art of Piano Playing (1958), In Lieu of a Preface