Can't even remember what this thread was about now......

@ Monica:
Thanks!

I, for one, hope never to be cured of it, and would not like to meet his mother!

@ Dave
Now that you mention it, I do remember about him being president. I suspect that being able to keep a poker face helped him as a politician.

The poker face probably kept his adversaries guessing. In those days he was known as "The Lion of Poland". That probably arose from the red shock of hair on his head.

David

That's interesting. I still think a man (or woman) is much more attractive playing piano without making faces or moving around than a player who does. Also, I make a mistake - it was not Paderewski's mother who told him to practice with a mirror. I'm getting my stories screwed up. I actually don't think anyone told him to do this - he did it on his own accord.

Hi Monica,

I agree with you that mannerisms generally can only detract from performance, no matter who the pianist is. If the energy diverted to mannerisms could be re-channeled into the performance itself, the artistic result would likely be better. I dislike grimaces, high hand tosses, swaying, looking up at the ceiling in poetic moments, etc. None of these things contribute any value from what I've been able to observe and hear over the years. The reason is that the pianist is bifurcating or dividing attention between execution and mannerisms, so something has to suffer and it's usually performance. I'm a believer in poise at the piano with the entire playing mechanism aimed at achieving economy of motions to the extent feasible. I don't do videos, but if I did, you'd probably be reminded of Jorge Bolet at the piano--all business and no extraneous movements whatsoever.

David

That´s very well played, Bruce. An interpretation with much of life and musicality. Bravo! I also have very much enjoyed your video on YouTube and I have sent you a friend-invitation there.

Thanks so much, Andreas!

Bruce