The Most HATED Pianists in History

Comments · 1.3K

• ME

  @MeghanThePianoTeacher · 3 months ago · pinned

  My friends - many have asked why Yuja Wang was not included in this video for her outfit choices, when Buniatishvili was. At least in my circles, Yuja Wang isn't often discussed as controversial, and her reputation is based more on her performing chops! Why her outfits aren't as controversial as Buniatishvili's,  I can't say for sure.... but I have two big guesses 🙈

  249

• JA

  @janetgrooms6377 · 3 months ago

  I really enjoyed your video. I am an 83 year old retired classical pianist and teacher. I believe that pianists "specialize" like doctors. Many years ago, when I was still at the university, Piano Professor Morton Schoenfeld asked me what recording of the Chopin etudes I had. "Tomas Vasary," I answered. "What do you think of it?" he asked. "It's okay," I said. Then Mr. Schoenfeld went on a...rant! "You have a TERRIBLE recording!" he scolded. Then he asked me to go to our Listening Center and listen to Mauritzio Pollini play these etudes. I listened. I was overwhelmed! This fine, eloquent playing brought me to tears! Mr. Schoenfeld smiled, "NOW you've heard a fine recording of the Chopin etudes." Of course, I purchased the CD. But something else happened! Many years went by. In Nova Scotia (Canada) I heard a recording of someone playing the Debussy preludes. I couldn't get over such beautiful playing. It brought me to tears again. I just HAD to find who the artist was. To my shock, those lovely Debussy preludes were played by Tomas Vasary. Over the years I have concluded that pianists specialize. You wouldn't go to a dermatologist for a heart attack; and maybe you wouldn't go to Vasary for Chopin. You asked for suggestions of other pianists. May I suggest Pollini, Vasary and, of course, Yevgeny Kissin!

  100

• JE

  @jefflindeman · 3 months ago

  Buniatishvili’s performance of Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue speaks for itself.

  55

• JI

  @jimkost2002 · 3 months ago

  I saw Ivo Pogorelich in every &nbsp;NYC recital from 1983-1996.<br>The most life changing experiences I have ever had!

  82

• MA

  @markbujdos584 · 3 months ago

  So I guess Yuja Wang&apos;s dresses are not controversial. What a relief!

  150

• TJ

  @tjcint · 3 months ago

  Meghan, I met David Helfgott and his wife following a concert in Penrith, Sydney years ago. He came up to me and talked in my ear for some time. He is the most touching, disarming soul. It upsets me that people apply their own framework to his playing. This is a lack of empathy and humanity. With David you need to accept him as he is and simply marvel at this most beautiful, touching, innocent, endearing man. He is filled with love, there is no &quot;look at me&quot; or ego or competitive anything. Just a man of extraordinary beauty who has a smile that simply stops time.

  22

• KE

  @kennethmheck1 · 3 months ago

  We need another video like this for underappreciated pianists!

  92

• JA

  @James-eb9gs · 3 months ago (edited)

  Gould was the first North American musician to tour the Soviet Union in 1957 and he caused a sensation. Gould said the accolades he received were almost a bit frightening. Every concert sold out , standing room only with people in awe because they had never heard Bach played like this before. There was one concert where, after numerous ovations and encores, he was mobbed backstage with people clamoring for autographs and just wanting to get close to him. After he finally made it to his dressing room and changed ready to return to his hotel room a knock came at the door and he was informed &nbsp;the people in the hall were STILL applauding and he took a final bow in his cap and overcoat.

  82

• MA

  @MauriceBlanc-ft1cg · 3 months ago

  Gulda once performed fully naked. Another controversial French pianist was Samson Francois, who was so plastered before his concerts he had to be helped to the keyboard. &nbsp;(Since the look of female pianists was mentioned, I hope it&apos;s not inappropriate for me to mention here how extraordinarily beautiful Meghan is!)

  39

• HO

  @HorsehairBraider · 3 months ago

  I love learning about the composers and players and their history. Thanks for the video!

  5

• FI

  @FingersKungfu · 3 months ago

  Ivo&apos;s hands and techniques always fascinate me. He has exceptionally large hands but his handshape is always very cursive, just like textbook &quot;balling hand&quot; method. He almost never played with flatten fingers.

  6

• RO

  @RollaArtis · 3 months ago

  Whenever I see a Lang Lang performance I think of a Tom and Jerry cartoon...

  88