A Pianist Prepares

In dialogue with Piero Ferrucci, Maestro Giovanni Carmassi outlines the core of his approach to pianistic artistry: Before a piece is performed, it must be conceived and constructed in the mind of the musician. The conversations in this book examine the cornerstones on which the art of piano playing are based: - The body's weight in the expression of colour - Breath, pause, silence - Rhythm and meter - The role of memory - The relationship with the audience - Historical context - Orchestration on the piano - The danger of stereotypes, mechanical playing and narcissistic exhibition A guide for every musician or aspiring musician, this book gives directions that are immediately practical. Through its conversational style it explains concepts and the means to realize them, perhaps obvious to a teacher but elusive to a student. The ultimate goal is to show that in playing a piece of music the pianist's whole being participates - mind and heart, memory and attention, culture and instinct, the whole body, and the breath. Drawing from his vast teaching experience, Maestro Carmassi shows students the way to achieve their truest and most brilliant musical interpretation. Giovanni Carmassi, a concert pianist, has taught piano performance in the Conservatories of Pesaro, Bologna, La Spezia, Milan and Florence. Piero Ferrucci is a psychotherapist and philosopher. He has written various books, among which Beauty and the Soul.