The Maverick type of accomplished Concert Pianist of the XX century

Abstract

The extensive and so complex piano repertoire of the last two centuries, favored a diversification of the stage piano performance art, and in the same time, accordingly shaping in vary forms, the accomplished concert pianist general profile as we seek for, in the Modern and Contemporary Era. Outlining this profile, for a long time the high-class concert pianist was conditioned for validation by winning great competitions, later by strict specialization on certain stylistic segments, by recording and presenting in public some composer's integrals. However there always have been singular musicians, who in front of the general public and critics presented a particular type of musicality, which allowed the understanding of the musical text to be transmitted in a completely new, revealing way. Maverick type musicians, as the American press has been trying to identify a term for them, are not an invention of our century, they existed and imposed themselves on public musical attention as ones of the highest and most inspiring profiles in the performing arts. The nonconformity and particularity of their musicality built these artistic landmarks of pianism we are relating to. In this article we search to investigate their performance approach and to identify the common characteristics that these individuals, with outstanding musical personality, possess.