Guys, we ‘joke’ about the matter, but perhaps more attention should be paid to this “slutty-pianist” outbreak. (I use the term, “slutty-pianist”, in half-jest).
But seriously, it’s as if these women had been waiting for someone to take the first step (Yuja?), and had been feeling trapped in all the excess clothing associated with being a ‘classical pianist’.
From a practical standpoint, it only seems natural to wear less clothing on stage because it is simply more comfortable for the performer who has to deal with hot flashes and breaking into heavy sweat; on the other hand, if the stage is too cold it could come in handy to have a robe or a jacket to throw over Yuja. I wonder if there is someone in the wings waiting for a cue from Yuja to ‘bring out the trench-coat’.
Not to be sexist, I believe men should also be allowed to ‘liberate’ themselves from all that clothing. Personally, I’d like to see Andras Schiff in shorts & t-shirt on stage playing Beethoven!
