The Art of the Piano : Its Performers, Literature and RecordingsThird Edition

Rating:
Summary: Much Useful Knowledge
Review: There is much to learn in this useful book for piano fans and students. I was a bit disappointed though that prominent pianists were given little coverage or not updated at all - Thibaudet, Andsnes, Hough, Lortie, Perahia - and pianists who are largely unknown to the public were updated, and highly praised. This was puzzling to me. I understand wanting to celebrate the careers of lesser known pianists, but why not also cover the careers of those who are performing at Carnegie Hall before the public? I get the feeling that many of these biographical entries are not for the benefit of the reader, but for the pianists who are listed. Yet the ordinary reader is the book's customer. Surely we are worth a little regard. More useful to the reader is the piano literature section of Part II. There is a lot of interesting updating here, including Beethoven, Busoni, Godowsky, Medtner, and much more. The list of recommended recordings is helpfully expanded. But there is too much in Part I that seems like excess, and minor careers are overpraised.

Rating:
Summary: An excellent guide to the piano and its masters!
Review: This is an excellent book! Extremely informative. Mr.Dubal has done a wonderful job researching this material out. The CD guide in the back is a very helpful resource. It has helped me make many good purchases. A must have for pianists, teachers, and students. His book "Reflections from the Keyboard" is also a great book to have.

Rating:
Summary: Minority opinion - No really progressing from 2 edition
Review: When I ordered Mr Dubal revised "The Art of Piano" I have high expectation - his second edition is my "piano bible" and I have all his book. So my dissapointment was very big. I have feeling that this is "rushed edition" and Mr Dubal didnt work hard on this revision. Why ?

My big "suprise" was to look back and forward in H when searching for Mrs Angela Hewitt who in my humble opinion is the leading Bach pianist and her complete recording of Sebastian is best avaible. No Hewitt. Also serious book edited in 2004 should notice Piotr Anderszewski activity. Many other pianists that developed major carriers in last decade have very "pale" and not update bio: Hough, Demidenko Andensen .... Others like Gulda and Zacharias have also small note. I understand that You can't write tottaly objective book and maybe these pianists are not writer favorites but you can't miss their work and progress in last decade !

Why I thing this book is rushed ? Because updates on some major pianists are not visible. For example - Murray Perahia. I found that Mr Dubal didnt notice this wonderful pianist work from 1995. Also, when copying from 2-ed his bad review from Mr Perahia recital, it will be fair to note that the event happened some 10 years ago and maybe is not relevant now. I suppose that Mr Dubal have listened to Perahia recitals/concerts in last decade and I'm sure that He listened to new CD's. No single word about Perahia Bach and wonderful Chopin Etudes. It's also case when speaking about Pollini and others. For example I would like to read about Zimerman new recordings , comparing his Chopin concertos (I personnaly prefer the first version). My dissapointment was great because the writer is real "guru" of piano and his knowledge about piano and pianists is huge and he is wonderful writer.
The book is real treasure for person who have not read 2-nd edition but has little to offer for readers familiar with previous edition

Rating:
Summary: very useful
Review: While this book doesn't contain ALL the piano performers and literatures and recordings you expect, it has quite a bit of information.

What I like about it is it's not just a list of names of pianists and composers or the titles of works. He inserts his own comments and opinions, in some cases historical/cultural background, about each pianist and literature, in addition to anecdotes and famous quotes here and there, which is really very helpful. If you are musically inclined, you might find some of his comments not agreeable. In such case, just remember that every writer is subject to his/her own bias, or entitled to his own opinion. You just have to take his words for reference only.

I use this book all the time as a reference, as I am writing a story about a pianist right now. Not only that, it inspires me to check out the piano pieces I've never listened before. It also helps me to understand piano music in general.

Only, I wish he included piano trio/quartet/quintet, and piano works for four hands, etc. But if he did that, it'll be a huge book.

I am thankful for all the research and works he had done to put this one together.




Rating:
Summary: The Greatest Piano Authority to Come Out of Cleveland Ohio!
Review: Your piano listening will be greatly enriched by the study of this valuable book. Dubal has written an essential resource for the serious piano aficionado. The 2nd edition has been for years the companion of my listening hours and the source for much of my collection of historic recordings. I'm glad the book has been updated, apparently extensively. I'm ordering the new edition, and so should anyone who loves the piano literature.