Perhaps we are diverging some, but if I may be allowed an opinion on KFB’s apocalyptic perspective:
As of lately I, too, wonder about the art of “pianism,” and sometimes I do think it somewhat passé or even childish.
A grown man spending hours, years, decades sitting in front of this machine; learning pieces written centuries ago, so that he can someday show the world how worthy he is. If he gets to be one of “the few,” he will most certainly be told how great he is, “encore, encore,” but then, is it really that great and/or impressive to regurgitate that which has been said many times before, “Hammerklavier, I say,” or are we simply kidding ourselves?
Surely, some will swear over the differences between these “great” pianists, but I think the similarities weigh heavier, and there’s not much difference between Barenboim/Schiff, nor is there much difference between Yuja/Argerich; other than poetic subtleties that get lost in transition.
I guess what I’m trying to say is that whole thing is starting to bore me, and yes, I’d rather put on my Apple ProVision, head out into a virtual space whence time stretches yet never breaks; whence I move yet stay in place, and most importantly, a place that can take any shape (so long as the battery can sustain), but then, I charge the battery, again, and I’m off onto yet another adventure where I get to be the hero……
