Artur Schnabel: Leschetizky method

There is no Leschetizky method. It is a mere legend - an absolute fallacy. He never spoke, at least I never heard him speak, of technique. Several of his assistants and some of his pupils have published books on his method which are all diametrically opposed. Don't be misled by them. There was no method. His teaching was much more than a method. It was a current which sought to release all latent vitality in the student. It was addressed to imagination, taste, and personal responsibility, not a blue print, or shortcut to success. It gave them a task but no prescription.

Q: When they didn't produce what he thought was beautiful, did he think it didn't come from within or did he think they weren't prepared enough?

A: He thought your ears were untrained if your tone was not adequate. Also, much depends on one's standard of measurement. THere are those who can't stand a vigorous fortissimo; they are too touchy or too soft for it. Other people, if they hear a real pianissimo, miss the big, lush tone. Music requires thousands of tones and not one standard sonority. Technique is never an end. Mere dexterity is not sufficient - I can try it with an street boy, he will execute a glissando at once - and if he has enough sitting capacity, he will thunder octaves as rapidly as possible for a full hour. That has nothing to do with music. It is athletics. The blending of tones, the articulation of tones, has to be directed by the inner ear. Great physical efforts are not conducive to musical performance. Anyhow every physical accomplishment should be achieved with a minimum effort.