Olga Kern 1975-
Freddy Kempff 1977-
Lang Lang 1982-
Yundi Li 1982-
Simon Tedeschi 1982-
Barbara Hesse-Bukowska
Friedrich Wuhrer
Ian Holtham
Piers Lane
Alexis Weissenburg
Orazio Frugoni
Michele Campanella
Rudolf Buchbinder
Boris Berman
Ronald Farren-Price
Gerard Willems
John O’Connor
Mathieu Papadiamandis
Paul Lewis
Recordings & performing mannerisms
Wax cylinders were issued before, and for a few years after, 1900. Acoustic discs were
issued from about 1904 to about 192 5 when they started to be replaced by electric discs.
Reproducing piano rolls were issued from 1905 to about 1930 when production virtually
ceased.
There are many reasons why acoustic discs and reproducing piano rolls do not always
faithfully reproduce the playing of the pianist. In addition, in the cases of discs, the
pianist was often hurrying to fit the music onto the disc. Some discs and rolls are better
than others, of course, but the best are not only convincing but can be listened to with real
enjoyment. They are always fascinating historically, and the evidence they convey in
actual sound is unique for what they tell us about earlier piano performing styles.
There are written sources as to piano performing practice, of course, but these are limited
by the written word and do not specify the quantitative extent of the use of the
mannerisms, rubato and other aspects of performing practice. Research in this area at the
very least helps to answer the fascinating questions: ‘How did the famous pianists really
play; how did composers play their own compositions; how did composers expect to hear
their compositions played?’
Comments on some of the pianists
Isaac Albeniz (1860-1909) was a Spanish pianist and composer. He made discs of his
own compositions and of his improvisations.