THE EVOLUTION OF PIANO

TECHNIQUE

Melissa Johnson
SPRING 2017
0
 From 1780-1910, music underwent drastic changes throughout what came to be known as

the Romantic Period. With the newfound interests of the era, came new musical themes which

continued to evolve even after the end of Romanticism. Due to Romantic composers’

experimentation with abrupt changes in chord progressions and melodies, as well as variances in

dynamics and tempo, Romanticism became the gateway to the unique sound of Minimalism.

Through an analysis of the piano technique of Franz Liszt and Frederic Chopin, an understanding

of Minimalism will be obtained through an observation of the similarities and differences of the

Romantic composers, as well as the twentieth-century composers Ludovico Einaudi and Fabrizio

Paterlini.

As the Romantic Period was beginning to form, society at that time was changing its

attitude toward life and revolting against the norms of the previous Classical Period. Events such

as the French Revolution and the Industrial Revolution had an impact on music of the time. For

example, the French Revolution set the stage for free thinkers and allowed artists to begin to

express themselves more freely and personally.1 The Industrial Revolution’s impact resulted

from the growth of jobs creating a rise in the middle class. Due to the middle class now

becoming a substantial part of society, they began to gain more education which included

learning instruments such as the piano.2

With the influence of society on the types of music being created throughout the

Romantic Period, the style of music also shifted. The overall style of music could now be

described as full of expression. There was now a deepened concerned for the metaphysical

problems of existence, death, and eternity; therefore, those from the period began to praise

1
“The Romantic Period (1825-1900)”. Mostlywind. Accesssed April 21, 2017.
www.mostlywind.co.uk/romantic.html.
2
Murray, Christopher John. Encyclopedia of the Romantic era, 1760-1850. Vol. 2. New York: Fitzroy Dearborn,
2004.

1
imagination over reason and emotions over logic. Romanticism also became characterized by its

exoticism, nationalism, individualism, and interest in the supernatural.3

In addition to the characteristics of Romantic music, there was an expansion of musical

forms and harmonic vocabulary. Chromaticism was also employed more often, along with a

greater range of tone color and more changes in dynamics.4 A new emphasis on small, personal

works emerged, and existing forms such as symphonies and sonatas increased in length. Lastly,

the increased emphasis on instrumental virtuosity was made possible by technical improvements

in the instruments such as the pianos increase in pitch range.

Beginning the discussion of Franz Liszt, it is evident that he had an influence on

Romantic piano technique. He was the ultimate virtuoso pianist, and popularized piano

performance with this impressive showmanship. Not only was he one of the first to tour as a

concert pianist across Europe, but he also shocked audiences by appearing alone onstage instead

of sharing concerts with other musicians as what was expected.5

His influence on the Period continued with the position of the piano now being oriented

to see the performer’s profile. Liszt also insisted on opening the lid of the piano so the sounds

would be better projected. In addition, Liszt would perform from memory, which had not been

done before; and his unique performances attracted huge crowds resulting in a phenomenon

known as “Lisztomania.” 6

Franz Liszt was not only a performer, however. He was a teacher to over 400 students

throughout his lifetime with the influence of his master classes. In these classes, the number of

3
“Romantic Period”. History of Music The Romanticism. Accessed April 21, 2017.
historyofmusic.tripod.com/id11.html.
4
“Romantic Era (1820-1900)”. European Musical Styles. Accessed April 21, 2017.
spotlightonmusic.macmillanmh.com/assets/extra/0001/0263/Euro_Romantic_Outline.pdf.
5
Inaba, Jean. “How Franz Liszt Changed Concert Performances Forever”. Accessed April 23, 2017.
www.cpr.org/classical/blog/how-franz-liszt-changed-concert-performances-forever.
6
www.cpr.org/classical/blog/how-franz-liszt-changed-concert-performances-forever.

2
students ranged from four to forty and they were instructed to practice six or seven hours each

day. His instruction, however, was to focus on the emotion and character of a piece over the

technique.7 Although he did care about technique, his philosophy of teaching was the notion of

competition. He believed that playing to other students in these master classes resulted in the

students becoming more motivated. Liszt also placed emphasis on the quality of sounds and

interpretation. This quality of sound could be created, according to him, through visualizing the

kind of sound they want to hear before playing it. Or, “only picture the image and the body will

find its own way to project it.” 8

Liszt’s piano technique was inspired by his interest in virtuosity. Initially, Liszt was

inspired by Niccolo Paganini, a virtuosic violinist. Eventually, however, Liszt created his own

virtuosic style. This style resulted in an easiness of playing which could be achieved through his

relationship with the mind. Therefore, emphasis was not on the fingers, but on the control the

mind had over the physical execution in technical development and piano performance. It was

no longer about finding the proper fingering, but connecting the mind to musical expression and

staying calm in technically challenging situations.9

With the influence Franz Liszt had over piano technique throughout the Romantic Period,

another important composer also helped make Romantic piano technique unique. This

influential composer is Frederic Chopin, a composer of piano music and character pieces.

Although Chopin created many great works, he did not enjoy performing in front of crowds. This

7
Santana, Jailton. “The Piano Master Class of Franz Liszt At Weimar, From 1869 to 1886”. Accessed April 23,
2017. www.uel.br/pos/musica/pages/arquivos/Artigo%20-%20Jailton%20-%20Liszt.pdf.
8
www.uel.br/pos/musica/pages/arquivos/Artigo%20-%20Jailton%20-%20Liszt.pdf.
9
Kravchuk, Michael. “Chopin and Liszt’s Contribution to Piano Technique”. Accessed April 23, 2017.
michaelkravchuk.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/Music-Paper-Spring-2012.pdf.

3
stance toward public performances, therefore, allowed Chopin to frequently play in small

gathering hosted by the upper class.10

In addition to his Salon performing career, Chopin was one of the first composers to work

extensively on the newly constructed, and updated, piano of the time. He developed a new

dependence on the pedal and frequently wrote elaborations over a bass not since the bass not

could now be held with the deal without it dying away too quickly. He also enjoyed playing two

notes against three and a lot of ornamentation which was inspired by Bel Canto singers. Liszt

described it as, “small groups of grace notes, falling like tiny drops of speckled dew over the

melodic figure.”11

In addition to these innovations, Chopin disagreed with the belief that finger articulation

was best supported by the wrist. Chopin relied upon his whole arm and minimal tension so the

lightest touch imagined should be used. He suggested having the elbows level with the keyboard

and keeping them relaxed and close to the body. He was also considered a virtuoso pianist due

to the new image of being able to play difficult passages with ease and musicality.12 So overall,

Chopin did not build his technique from simply practicing exercises, but focusing on the sound

production. His philosophy of teaching was focused on the idea of music as a language.

As with Romanticism, Minimalism is a style of music affected by the events occurring

during the period and the style of music that came before it. It came into existence through Post-

Romanticism leading into Impressionism and was essentially a revolt against Expressionism,

Serialism, and Indeterminism. Minimalist composers desired to abandon everything that was

10
Haywood, Alixandra. “Frederic Chopin, Paris’ Preeminent Salon Composer”. Culture Trip.
https://theculturetrip.com/europe/france/paris/articles/frederic-chopin-preeminent-salon-composer/.
11
Kravchuk, Michael. “Chopin and Liszt’s Contribution to Piano Technique”. Accessed April 23, 2017.
michaelkravchuk.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/Music-Paper-Spring-2012.pdf.
12
Korevaar, David. “Chopin Pedagogy: A Practical Approach”. Accessed April 23, 2017.
spot.colorado.edu/~korevaar/Chopin%20talk.htm

4
created to be “complicated.” Therefore, Minimalism was a return to simply creating music to be

enjoyed.13

Two Minimalist composers that have their own unique perspective on the style of music

are Ludovico Einaudi and Fabrizio Paterlini. Ludovico Einaudi is a classical composer and a

composer of film scores. In addition to being a pianist, Einaudi also plays guitar and did his

musical training at a conservatory in Milan where he was influenced by African vocal music and

The Beatles.14 Although his music drew from contemporary pop, it was considered ambient and

meditative. He stated that the allure of popular music destroyed any urge to linger in the

wastelands of atonalism. He also believed that he could not find a way to write music with

numbers and rules, so he tried to forget the academic idea of music and focus on creative work.15

Lastly, when asked about his technique, he said that he had a lot of technical difficulties and a

very strict teacher. His advice on the subject was to find a teacher that helps you to find

yourself, not someone that is simply imposing a technique.16

As with Ludovico Einaudi, Fabrizio Paterlini is also a contemporary classical music

composer. He began his music career after his schooling by performing rock classics, pop, and

jazz in local bands. While he performed in various gigs, he began to compose as well.

Influenced by his hometown of Mantua, Italy, Paterlini created many elegant and cinematic

pieces.17 His approach to Minimalism is considered Neo-Classical and ambient, emotive,

dreamy, and passionate. He creates music by focusing on the experiences he makes daily and

13
Van dem Toorn, Pieter, and John McGinness. Stravinsky and the Russian Period: Sound and Legacy of a Musical
Idiom. Cambridge University Press, 2012.
14
“Ludovico Einaudi.” Accessed April 23, 2017. www.takeitaway.org.uk/tips-advice-more/take-it-away-talks-
to/ludovico-einaudi/////.
15
“Ludovico Einaudi: The inventor of ‘atmospherica’.” The Telegraph. Accessed April 23, 2017.
www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/classicalmusic/9984996/Ludovico-Einaudi-The-inventor-of-atmospherica.html.
16
www.takeitaway.org.uk/tips-advice-more/take-it-away-talks-to/ludovico-einaudi/////.
17
“Fabrizio Paterlini”. Fabrizio Paterlini. Accessed April 23, 2017. www.fabriziopaterlini.com/about/.

5
living in the present. He says that the process of composition rarely starts with melodies, but

rather begins with a certain attitude. Lastly, Paterlini visualizes the pieces he plays and becomes

part of the piece.18

In conclusion, the stylistics similarities between Romanticism and Minimalism help

highlight the evolution of piano technique over these periods of music. The Romantic Period

had an extreme focus on emotion, as did Minimalism which focused on feeling over the strict

rules of music theory. In addition, both periods did not have a main emphasis on actual piano

technique but rather on sound production or feeling. Overall, both periods perceived music to be

a language after they transition from the strict rules of their previous periods.

18
“Interview with Fabrizio Paterlini”. Headphone Commute. Accessed April 23, 2017.
https://www.google.com/amp/s/reviews.headphonecommute.com/2013/06/13/interview-with-fabrizio-
paterlini/amp/.

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7
Haywood, Alixandra. “Frederic Chopin, Paris’ Preeminent Salon Composer”. Culture Trip.

https://theculturetrip.com/europe/france/paris/articles/frederic-chopin-preeminent-salon-

composer/.

Inaba, Jean. “How Franz Liszt Changed Concert Performances Forever”. Accessed April 23,

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“Interview with Fabrizio Paterlini”. Headphone Commute. Accessed April 23, 2017.

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spot.colorado.edu/~korevaar/Chopin%20talk.htm.

Kravchuk, Michael. “Chopin and Liszt’s Contribution to Piano Technique”. Accessed April 23,

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“Ludovico Einaudi.” Accessed April 23, 2017. www.takeitaway.org.uk/tips-advice-more/take-

it-away-talks-to/ludovico-einaudi/////.

8
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10