The Art of Piano Playing

This book is a goldmine of information, tips and anecdotes from one of the most illustrious names in piano teaching. With copious musical examples and first-hand accounts of pianists from Anton Rubinstein to Richter and Gilels (two of Neuhaus's own pupils from his time at the Moscow Conservatoire), the author takes us through the gamut of advanced piano technique, with constant emphasis on the vital importance of playing with a free arm and cultivating a beautiful tone. Many working pianists could benefit from his hard-earned advice. All students of the instrument could do worse than read this book, mark and inwardly digest its contents.

The best book out there for correct and methodic piano teaching.What an amazing find! was recommended by a friend and for a long time wasn't available to find.If your'e a piano freak or like to understand how this fascinating old instrument plays, this is a must for you!

I have waited two years for it to become available again. It touches on the not easy to describe area of musical motivation and understanding and emphasizes the importance of seeing technique as indistinct from the musical intention. Neuhaus gives a very personal insight into the world of Russian piano teaching and his own struggles. It is a book that any pianist at any level-or musician for that matter-would benefit from reading.

I bought this book thinking that there would be lots of tips on technique etc. It does cover technique, rhythm, timing, fingering etc. but covers so much more. Since I only play for my own enjoyment, I skipped the chapter on performance, but I have learned some useful improvements to my playing having read this book. Recommended.

A classic! Suitable for more advanced students and their teachers. Full of very interesting insights.

Such an important subject, sadly written about every little. Neuhaus whilst writing in 1973 at the end of his career is utterly timeless and relevant for today. I'm only a couple of chapters in and have found myself nodding throughout with many shared challenges and experiences. Dropped a star because the writing style is quite detailed and requires srong focus to truly understand. For some it may seem long-winded and repetitive. Stick with- wise advice from an obvious master.

Helpful book for pianists.

This book is a very useful read for students and young professionals. Certain chapters, especially those on tone control and the teacher/student are particularly useful. I do however find the book a little verbose, occasionally repetitive and often self-indulgent, but if you can work your way through that, there is plenty of very good advice to be gained.

An absolutely essential book for 10 Grade students of music schools, college/university students, piano teachers and so on!The most informative and useful. It needs to be reread from time to time until knowledge and understanding are stored in your head.

You cannot call yourself a pianist or musician if you have not read this book. So much of the literature on music these days is simply so much "fluff" where people emphasis the so called psychological aspect in relation to music and performance (music and emotions,music and the brain etc). Although this can be interesting we need to return to the "basics" in order to be an artist rather than just a good musician. We do after all need to possess the physical and technical ability in order to communicate more abstract ideas to the audience.This book deals with anything and everything of importance with regards to playing the piano. Physical and technical aspects as well as the more abstract issues in relation to making music such as "feeling" the music (as an extremely simple example).Artistry is about sharing and that's exactly what Heinrich Neuhaus did in this book. He shared his genius.

Libro muy recomendable para pedagogos, estudiantes y aficionados al piano. Heinrich Neuhaus nos ilustra con su conocimiento acumulado en toda una vida dedicada a enseñar a referencias en la interpretación pianística, entre los que destacaron Sviatoslav Richter y Emil Gilels. De lectura fácil, amena y plagada de buenos ejemplos.

JE RECOMMANDE CE LIVRE DANS LE CADRE DE MES ETUDES IL ME SERT ENORMEMENTCONTENTE DE MON ACHATJE LE RECOMMANDE POUR LES ETUDIANTS EN MUSIQUE ET LES MELOMANES

I'm sure anyone shopping for this book knows that Heinrich Neuhaus was the mentor of such giants of the piano as Richter, Gilels and Lupu. Well, here between these covers you'll find the reason why. Neuhaus possessed a great mind and an ability to express himself like no other pedagogue I have read. While reading his book I kept thinking I was reading Tolstoy, not for any similarity of style or substance but because I got the same feeling from both their works, that here is a great man who had lived a full life, and then had the patience and wherewithal to sit down and commit it to paper, thereby enriching piano posterity. This book deserves pride of place on any pianist's bookshelf. I thank the previous reviewer who said that it was a crime that this book is out of print. I paid a hefty amount for what looks like a slim volume, but it is packed with such profundity that I have to consider this a seminal addition to my library. Get it wherever you can, this is one for the ages.