Gyorgy Sandor On Piano Playing -

These focus on maintaining a relaxed, horizontal arm while the fingers move laterally. Sándor emphasizes that the forearm must support each individual finger to prevent tension.

Utilizing gravity to generate sound. The arm is lifted and allowed to drop freely into the keys, creating a rich, round sonority without muscular strain. gyorgy sandor on piano playing

Some of his notable quotes on piano playing include: These focus on maintaining a relaxed, horizontal arm

Most pianists think of the piano as a percussion instrument. Sándor disagreed. He viewed the piano as a collection of strings excited by hammers. The arm is lifted and allowed to drop

He taught the "circular motion" for legato: As one finger plays, the next finger moves into position via a tiny rotation of the forearm, creating an unbroken line of sound.

Sándor's teaching methods were highly influential, and he taught many notable pianists, including Jerome Robbins, Renée Fleming, and Garrick Ohlsson. His approach to piano playing continues to inspire pianists and music educators around the world.

Unlike the Russian school, which advocates a high finger lift, Sándor argued that lifting the finger creates tension and a delay. He wanted the fingertip in contact with the key surface. The motion is a rapid, microscopic shock of acceleration from the surface, not a fall from the sky.