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Chopin: Pianist and Teacher: As Seen by his Pupils
The accounts of Chopin's pupils, acquaintances and contemporaries, together with his own writing, provide valuable insights into the musician's pianistic and stylistic practice, his teaching methods and his aesthetic beliefs. This unique collection of documents, edited and annotated by Jean-Jacques Eigeldinger, reveals Chopin as teacher and interpreter of his own music. Included in this study is extensive appendix material that presents annotated scores, and personal accounts of Chopin's playing by pupils, writers, and critics.
324 pages, Paperback
First published December 12, 1986
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
September 20, 2025
No dobra, już mi lepiej. Chopin pochwala i zachęca do wszystkiego, za co rypał mnie i czego mi zabraniał mój były nauczyciel. Yolo, pójdę za głosem Chopina.
April 8, 2022
good account, especially for notes from Mikulki. nice notes on technical training as well as interpretations for Chopin's different staccato. it was interesting but had like maybe 5 lines on the piece i am researching :(
December 7, 2018
This is a fascinating book that you'll want to read if you are a pianist who loves Chopin.
Unfortunately much interesting information is buried in the Notes section (small print) and in the Appendices, which results in a disjointed reading experience.
In fact, only 70 out of the 324 pages are narrative. The narrative unexpectedly ends when you are less than a third of the way through the book.
Imagine you are eating a fabulous meal at a restaurant, but your plate vanishes without warning after you have eaten just a quarter of it. That's how I felt about this book.
Unfortunately much interesting information is buried in the Notes section (small print) and in the Appendices, which results in a disjointed reading experience.
In fact, only 70 out of the 324 pages are narrative. The narrative unexpectedly ends when you are less than a third of the way through the book.
Imagine you are eating a fabulous meal at a restaurant, but your plate vanishes without warning after you have eaten just a quarter of it. That's how I felt about this book.
February 10, 2023
What a ceaseless marvel..I beg every advanced piano player to read this
July 24, 2025
This is the best work to date on Chopin, his pedagogy, and his students. Eigeldinger has collected a vast amount of material. It is a groundbreaking work, a true masterpiece that is superbly written and engaging to read. It is not dry or scholarly, although it is, by its very nature, very pedantic.
There is still much work to be done in this area, for example, the extensive correspondence between Jane Stirling and Ludwik Jedrzejewicz would be of interest to thousands of Chopin admirers.
There is also a relatively large number of so-called "loose ends," such as the often unconfirmed authenticity of many testimonies from students, friends, listeners, and other musicians.
The only thing that seemed to me a shortcoming in this book was the fact that so much important information is contained in the footnotes, which alone take up almost 70 pages.
There is still much work to be done in this area, for example, the extensive correspondence between Jane Stirling and Ludwik Jedrzejewicz would be of interest to thousands of Chopin admirers.
There is also a relatively large number of so-called "loose ends," such as the often unconfirmed authenticity of many testimonies from students, friends, listeners, and other musicians.
The only thing that seemed to me a shortcoming in this book was the fact that so much important information is contained in the footnotes, which alone take up almost 70 pages.
November 24, 2025
A must read. An absolute and clarifying book to check if you have doubts in your interpretation of Chopin works, but only with the proper mindset and reaserch besides this book (about tempo for example) this book can be fully understood, and I appreciate that the author reserved most (yet not all) of the comments he may write and let the quotes speak for themselves.
Finally I want to address the notes section, because I have read many reviews complaining about having to read back and forth. That layout chosen for the book is absolutely necessary, because many notes are very lengthy, and you can't suppress or eliminate them, because I find them absolutely necessary to read, and they, IMO, are not optional.
A 5 stars well deserved.
Finally I want to address the notes section, because I have read many reviews complaining about having to read back and forth. That layout chosen for the book is absolutely necessary, because many notes are very lengthy, and you can't suppress or eliminate them, because I find them absolutely necessary to read, and they, IMO, are not optional.
A 5 stars well deserved.
December 15, 2019
Much like The Tchaikovsky Papers: Unlocking the Family Archive, this is kind of a supplementary collection that won't tell you anything you don't know.
December 27, 2022
This is a remarkable collection of writings by pupils and other contemporaries of Chopin that provides a very detailed view of his thinking with regard to piano technique and interpretation of his own works, as well as many independent observations of his own playing. Essential for an understanding of his works.
September 26, 2025
This is THE Chopin book. Anybody who wishes to learn more about Chopin or the pianist who wishes to have a deeper understanding of his musical style must not avoid this read. Filled with numerous primary sources, including accounts from Chopin's family, friends, and, of course, pupils. A beautiful glance into the musical pedagogy and philosophy of Chopin.
December 9, 2023
Definitely check this out just for the annotated scores. Has a lot of great stories also from people who knew Chopin about his playing.
Also there’s a lot to learn from the fingerings his students or he himself recommends.
Also there’s a lot to learn from the fingerings his students or he himself recommends.
July 9, 2022
my french king felipe told me to read this in spain. wish the narrative was longer 😕😢 because that portion was great. why was there so much in the notes? at least i read nonfiction.
November 7, 2022
Must-read for any pianist playing Chopin! So much insight into his approach and reasons for composing in the style he did, plus how to interpret his work.
June 4, 2016
A well written, historically respectful insight on the greatest of all romantic musicians, documented through the written testimonials of his own adoring pupils.
The result is the portrait of an author, pianist and enthusiastic teacher, and of the way he perceived music, revealed its magic to his students, and how he intended the performance of his own pieces.
It's impressing to discover how humble this man was in relation to his own greateness, which was already acclaimed while alive, and how heasy - "facìle" - an approach to his masterworks he demanded from it's adoring pupils.
An artist for the pure love / need of art, not for the glory.
Revealing, a book which changed my perception of Chopin, his works, music and art as a whole.
The result is the portrait of an author, pianist and enthusiastic teacher, and of the way he perceived music, revealed its magic to his students, and how he intended the performance of his own pieces.
It's impressing to discover how humble this man was in relation to his own greateness, which was already acclaimed while alive, and how heasy - "facìle" - an approach to his masterworks he demanded from it's adoring pupils.
An artist for the pure love / need of art, not for the glory.
Revealing, a book which changed my perception of Chopin, his works, music and art as a whole.
December 16, 2022
A great book and reference to come back to when learning Chopin. Unfortunate that the narrative only lasts roughly 80 pages and an immense amount of information is found in the Notes section and Appendixes (which is sometimes annoying). It was a good read though for a self-proclaimed Chopin fanboy. Lots of valuable information and you get to have a sense for Chopin's persona. You will learn more about Chopin and you will learn past pop culture's generalized comments on him.
Should be noted this was my first book on Chopin and he's my favorite composer, so I may be biased. But I definitely will read more books on Chopin and possibly change my rating. :)
Should be noted this was my first book on Chopin and he's my favorite composer, so I may be biased. But I definitely will read more books on Chopin and possibly change my rating. :)
June 9, 2012
Checked this book out from the library and now I really want to buy it. Lovely insight into Chopin's teaching and playing styles. This book has seriously influenced a change in my music performance in general, not just the piano. I am curious to know how the author is sure that these students said all these things, but I didn't check if there was sources for the quotes.
July 11, 2017
This book improved my playing, because it helped me understand Chopin more than conservatory ever did. Best book on Chopin.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews