V.Feltsman's Master class: demonstrating Chopin Sonata #3

[kikakon]

Great pianist and teacher!

[grexample]

To the extent that the student has talent, he will take it in. This artist conveys so much solely through the incredible beauty of his sound. He's a great teacher in this setting-relaxed and uninhibited. Many of us have learned about incredible possibilities in piano sound--things that cannot be expressed in words--exactly by this kind of sharing. To sit at the side of a master like this and hear things played for you and repeated in this way is what piano study at its highest level is all about

[Grigor99]

I don't really understand what he's trying to do here. It's fine to demonstrate a little a a student, but the student has to try it and then the teacher comments and tweaks the results as it progresses. This is just playing for the sake of playing. Does he really think the student is taking all this in as he goes along??

[lourak]

@Grigor99 This is not the case. Simply observing and listening and taking guidance from a master is all that a serious student needs. It is reported that when a student came to Bach, he would ask the student to give him the sheet music that he was then currently working on, whereupon Bach would play the piece for the student and then say goodbye.

[Grigor99]

@lourak I agree to an extent, however any artist/teacher will tell you that depending upon the level of the student, one must adjust his teaching to that level in order for the student to get the most out of a lesson or a masterclass. I would not say it is exactly lazy teaching, but perhaps a bit uninspired.