Going out with a bang

See news item in today's Times:
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/printFriendly/0,,1-3-734267,00.html

'ONE of France’s greatest pianists will end his career this summer by destroying two grand pianos and his recital clothes in protest at what he says is the bourgeois elitism of classical music.'

Yep, that sounds like the sort of thing a French person would say!

Wasn't it a French education that formed Pol Pot?

Duchable's abandoning the classical music circle has been announced for some time, so that's no surprise. The things he said about other pianists - especially Argerich - have raised some heated discussions in other newsgroups, so I won't repeat them here.

Only two things: Firstly, I consider it a great shame do destroy two concert grands like that. Other people (like me) would give much to have such a piano and try to find the money for that for quite some time.

Secondly, I've attended two concerts with Duchable (4th Beethoven concerto, 2nd Chopin) and was not positively impressed. Technically flawless, but utterly unmusical, mechanical playing without any sensitivity or phrasing that would fit those two works. I would not have planned to go to any other concerts of him, so if he decides to quit, I won't shed a tear for that. I know that others have different opinions on that (yes Tom, I know - you may convince me to listen to his Brahms concertos...), but well those are my two personal experiences.

[article snipped]

Thanks Tom! I was probably needlessly wary of copying directly from the Times, but anyway now it's your head under the guillotine.

I was hoping we might get some sensible discussion on musical, rather than nationalistic, grounds. We shall see.

(We Brits, of course, have always had a soft spot for France - in fact we fight most of our wars there.)

Yes, one would think that if he is so fed up with the 'elitism' of classical music that donating the pianos to some charitable organization might make a more appropriate statement than destroying them, which seems to only say 'look at what a petulant child I am'.

Duchable can appear to be one of the most unmusical pianists alive. However, Artur Rubinstein thought his talent was enormous. So, I listen attentively.

What I have come to understand is that Duchable wants to rid music of all of its superficially expressive elements. So, no pretty phrases, no soft sounds, no yielding rubatos. He concentrates solely on structure and harmonic clarity.

This comes as a shock. And in things like the Liszt Transcendental Etudes it succeeds in destroying the music completely. Or revealing mercilessly its lack of content. Depends upon your point of view. Duchable only recorded that to please EMI and against his own tastes.

The Brahms concerti were frightening in their impact, their overal command - quite incredible, in my opinion - but totally devoid of any aspects we have come to think of as Brahmsian: rich mahogany sounds, .luxurious phrasing, yielding rubatos, etc. Bracing is the word I would use to describe them. And frighteningly accurate. Very impressive, despite their lack of superficially 'musical' qualities.

I take your point about the pianos, Marcel. But they are his, he should do with them what he wants. In any event, would you really want a piano Duchable had practised on for decades? I think not. Undoubtedly needs new hammers and strings.

I am anxious to see the DVDs Duchable has made of the 5 Beethoven concerti. They should be fascinating to watch. Chopin, well, without a tiny wiff of perfume, Chopin is a very uninteresting composer. Weissenberg has tried that with the concerti without success.

David Hurwitz would probably think that Duchable has made a fool of himself by speaking so frankly and so explicitly. Personally, I admire Duchable's courage in speaking out. He clearly has nothing to lose and his opinions come as a breath of fresh air - and frank opinions - in an environment where received ideas prevail.

Tom Deacon

Combatting elitism with pretentious drivel.....

Scott Graham Salinas, CA

Sounds like a frustrated failed star who secretly wants to go the 'Nige' route. I'll bet Peter Gelb has already dispatched a couple of imps to sign him. I'm surprised he didn't also attack Thibaudet for those red socks.

Whatever happened to Janina Fialkowska?

That's true of just about every recording of his I've heard. His Brahms concertos with Herreweghe are interesting more for the overall ideas (largely via Herreweghe, I suspect) than anything Duchable does.