Piano masterclass with Murray Perahia / Yonatan Aner / Schubert: Impromptu No.1

The Jerusalem Music Centre JMC is the leading institute in advancing and nurturing young gifted musicians from all over the country and serves as an International music center in Jerusalem. The centre was founded in 1973 by legendary violinist Isaac Stern and Jerusalem Mayor Teddy Kollek, with the assistance of Yad Hanadiv (a Rothschild foundation) and the Jerusalem Foundation. In the last decade the centre is headed by the renowned pianist Murray Perahia.

From its inception, the State of Israel enjoyed a rich musical life, which has consistently produced some of the best classical musicians in the world. The Jerusalem Music Center strives to nourish every new generation of young Israeli musicians with the same love, passion and respect for art that have been the lot of their predecessors, and of the great musicians for centuries.

In the JMC’s programs exceptional youngsters from all over the country are gathered together and embark on a challenging journey that include encounters with leading musicians from Israel and abroad, chamber music and orchestra playing as well as musical enrichment in various fields.

During these activities, a community is formed in which the young musicians and artists who guide them participate. This special community encourages young musicians in their formative years, inspires them and instills in them the understanding and recognition that there is always more to understand, experience and express in the language of music.

The Music Center presents prestigious concert series in Jerusalem featuring ensembles and soloists from around the world and the best musicians in Israel.

The Center for Music’s studio holds recordings by Israeli and international artists.

The Jerusalem Music Center operates with the support of the Jerusalem Municipality, the Ministry of Culture and Sports, the Goldman family, the Azrieli Foundation, the Sano Company, the Jerusalem Foundation, Yad Hanadiv, and other private donors.

The JMC goals
To cultivate outstanding young musicians from all over Israel, while building customized programs to develop their skills, both as soloists and in ensemble and orchestra. To creating a suitable environment for young Israeli musicians to meet, learn and be inspired by the greatest musicians in the world as well by as each other.

To serve as a world-class musical center in the heart of the capital of Israel, which enriches the city and its residents with concerts at the highest level, to offer an advanced and high-quality recording studio, and works closely with a variety of cultural and music organizations in the city.

To be Involved in the continuous musical and pedagogical growth of music teachers across the country by making connections with leading musicians and teachers from around the world and exposing them to both new and traditional ideas in music teaching.

[bruce_c_in_nz]

Another from me, nothing to do with the two pianists. For me, this (#1) is the greatest "short" piece of piano music that I know (and I know quite a lot). My recollection is that the name "impromptu" was bestowed by the publisher probably for marketing purposes. Literally the word means something like delivered without preparation, made up on the spur of the moment. I hear it as the extensively crafted and polished output of the greatest songsmith of all time. The more I hear it, the more I love it. I find the work intensely repetitive and at the same time non-repetitive, in that each repetition morphs into something new. In about 10 minutes, I hear more music than in the entire output of many recognised composers. Don't argue with me. It's an entirely subjective statement, in other words my truth, not the truth. If you perceive things differently you are welcome to feel pity for me.

[bsmusicd]

Fantastic master class! The pianist is excellent and Perahia's commentary is deeply insightful.

[erpollock]

I'm also impressed by the total attentiveness of Yonatan Aner, the "student". He is obviously a professionally qualified pianist if such a thing exists. He gives his full attention. How many chances does one have to have your playing critiqued by one of the great concert pianists of the generation? My master class in Israel was with Jennie Tourel.

[peetnaude]

Mr Perahia is my most favourite pianist. He has something in his playing that is ultra unique.

[margarethansen]

It was really a wonderful master class!! Perahia teaches very well and the guy is great!👏👏❤️❤️

[bruce_c_in_nz]

This comment was written before I had heard MP say anything. I considered this the most idiosyncratic performance of the many that I have heard. An example may be found at about 3.12 - 3.18 where the left hand takes over the main melody. Schubert used this device not infrequently (e.g. in #4 of this set of impromptus and in the second subject of the opening movement of his last sonata (D. 960)). I do not intend to use the word "idiosyncratic" with implied negative connotations. But in the quoted instance, it comes across to me as Aner rather than Schubert who is using this device. Another striking feature here is the extreme power of the bass in several instances. While this is something I perceive Schubert often sought to achieve (see the above sonata which contained examples), it should be remembered that Schubert did not have access to instruments anywhere near as powerful as the modern concert grand, and arguably could not have conceived of such. It is my opinion that Aner definitely over-egged the cake here. On the other hand, I found much to enjoy in his performance and he achieved periods of great tenderness that I associate with Schubert. So, even though I ultimately prefer the more conventional approach adopted by most professional pianists, it was for me interesting and even refreshing to hear possible alternative interpretations from time to time.

[erpollock]

So glad to see Perahia uses letters instead of do re mi which shows his early training was in the US. In Europe they use do re mi. That used to confuse me utterly when I studied in Israel. He's a wonderful, very focused teacher. Perahia is originally American. His father got out of Salonica in Greece in 1935. The Jews of Salonica were tragically wiped out by the Nazis. Perahia is Sephardic, meaning from the East.

[gentlewhalepiano]

The student was very receptive to Murray Perahia, I believe he was quite spot on with his comments actually.

[evgenytarasov]

Подумал, что надо бы, в чистую субботу, послушать Горностаеву, экспромт Шуберта 90-1. Не слушал года 2 классику вообще (поэтому в рекомендациях ресурс никак не мог его мне подсунуть). Захожу - а он мне подсовывает ровно то (ПОЧТИ то!), о чем я только что подумал. Ютуб научился читать мысли?

[markus]

What was the year of that particular masterclass? It is some 25 years ago, right?

[cody]

This made me anxious! I would just shut down.

[ojeojeojeohe]

what I don't understand here is, the guy knows the piece "by heart" and is musically so stiff, reminds my of my pianolesson 40 years ago, working on all this aspects, thank you to my teacher Toshiko Schmidt- Narita, the prase where the rythm is going from four to three (two times) she wrote into the sheetmusic "Triolen"!

[r.i.p.volodya]

This is a slightly old-style masterclass. Murray would do it differently in future years. The way here requires a LOT of listening and no DOING on the part of the pupil. In future years, every point would be made while the student played back through the piece. There is, of course, a lot to learn either way - just a different style.

[bailahie]

When was this recording made? Murray Perahia has been one of my favourite pianists of all time, that man plays so crisp, lively and articulated - didn't know he was the director of the JMC!

[thingiezz]

I just knew in advance that they were gonna spend at least a few minutes on the opening G octaves

[r.i.p.volodya]

Who is Murray quoting here when he says the impromptu is a funeral for the dead child in Erlkonig?

[joshmills]

Who is the pianist he refers to at 34:09? Is it Furt Wangler? I see that he is a conductor… doesn’t seem right 🤔

[JaymesSinnah]

Murray seemed almost offended during the opening!

[erichkusterer]

The "student" is a true Pianist.

[erpollock]

As the session proceeded, with correction after minute correction, I began to feel sorry for the captive piano subject. Is there only one way to play Schubert's Impromptu No. 1? Well, there's Murray Perahia's way and that's what the student is learning. But there are many ways to perform a masterpiece, remaining within the accepted canon of performance. I began to feel annoyance at this OCD session.