#88aDay Classical Pianists March 2012

The theme for March is classical pianists. It's a theme that's as broad as you care to make it.

Pianists as Soloists

There are plenty of recordings capturing the mastery of 20th and 21st Century artists. You could listen to Glenn Gould, Lang Lang, Murray Perhia, Emmanual Ax, and many other of the modern era. Or you could go back to the dawn of recording and listen to George Gershwin, Sergei Rachmaninoff, Godowsky or other artists from the 1920's.

Many of the virtuoso pianists of the day made their own piano rolls, so they're recordings of a sort. Listen to (and share your experience) with those, if you wish.

Pianists as Ensemble Players

Also, there's no restriction on the type of work the artist performs. Solo piano music instantly springs to mind, but there are also piano concertos, piano trios, instrumental sonatas (for a solo instrument plus piano) and other types of chamber music that could be included.

Pianists as Conductors

Some pianists, like Daniel Barenboim, has a second career as a conductor. You could listen to those recordings too. Not everyone may be familiar with Murray Perahia's efforts on the podium. And if they're conducting a work that features a piano, that's even better.

Pianists as Composers

The virtuoso pianist as composer goes back to the introduction of the piano. Mozart was one. So was Beethoven, Schubert, Schumann, Prokfiev, Busoni, and many others. Listening to works composed by a pianist would be within the theme (although it should have a prominent keyboard part -- a Rachmaninoff symphony, as opposed to a piano concerto, seems a bit outside the bounds).

So start listening, and sharing your discoveries on Twitter. Use the hashtag #88aDay