Just curious....

Been listening to Oscar Pederson on the piano. Seems amazingly talented for jazz, very quick fingers. But seems very improvisational.

Would pianists like this be very accomplished doing works by Liszt, Rachmaninoff, Beethoven and other more classical pianists?

Or each are masters in their domain and not really good crossing over?

Really depends on the musician

James Booker could play just about anything. Stayed in the New Orleans aspects mostly, he was one of Harry Connick Jr’s formative teachers

Booker teaching piano to Jr basically kept him out of jail. Sr was the DA at the time

Keith Jarret comes immediately to mind. You should hear his Handel. He, too, can play anything.

Never heard him play any classical but Aaron Diehl is a wonderful pianist. My exposure to him is playing for Cecil McLorin Salvant.

A good musician can play anything, if the want to.

quote:

Originally posted by jsawyer09:
Keith Jarret comes immediately to mind. You should hear his Handel. He, too, can play anything.

I'm not a musician but sounds decent. Listening to one of his recordings of Handel sonatas. I noticed he has recorded some Mozart sonatas as well.

Would his skill and interpretations be considered average for a classical pianist? Above average? Below?

Interesting that some of these artists cross type.

If you're interested in a classical pianist my favorite is Emanuel Ax.

quote:

Originally posted by goose5:
If you're interested in a classical pianist my favorite is Emanuel Ax.

I saw Emmanuel Ax in Amsterdam, 2019. 2nd row at the Concertgebouw. Amazing performance. He is among my favorites as well. Lang Lang I saw there, same hall, in 2022.

Never heard of him. Will check him out.

Any particular recording / performance / CD you recommend?

I have focused on performances from my regulars: Argerich, Uchida.

quote:

Originally posted by konata88:

quote:

Originally posted by jsawyer09:
Keith Jarret comes immediately to mind. You should hear his Handel. He, too, can play anything.

I'm not a musician but sounds decent. Listening to one of his recordings of Handel sonatas. I noticed he has recorded some Mozart sonatas as well.

Would his skill and interpretations be considered average for a classical pianist? Above average? Below?

Interesting that some of these artists cross type.

Yes, his Mozart is good as well. I'm not really a Mozart keyboard fan; I'm more into Bach, Brahms and a couple dozen others I enjoy strangely enough before Mozart. I'd say Jarrett is far above competent in the classical domain. His acumen brings about a very serene quality in some undocumented way. He just didn't record a lot, really; not like a Gould or dozens of others by comparison. He has done Bach and Shostakovich, but his interpretations are lackluster compared to Gould, IMO. The Steinway & Sons piano he chose to use for a few of these recordings I always felt could be a little distracting (especially for Handel). It has a glassy quality, plus the recording hall/studio sounds somewhat overmiked. However, something like the Koln Concert sounds glorious.

I cast a vote for Dave Brubeck.

If you listen to a variety of Keith Emerson, I think you'd see (hear) his talents spanned all the genres.

quote:

Originally posted by konata88:
Never heard of him. Will check him out.

Any particular recording / performance / CD you recommend?

I have focused on performances from my regulars: Argerich, Uchida.

My favorites are Emanuel Ax plays Haydn, and Mozart's 22 Piano Concerto. The third movement melody is a real earworm.

Back in my Navy days, there was a guy in our squadron who had been trained in classical violin.

He was also a talented jazz musician, played vibes and piano. He had paying gigs in town every weekend, and he was always in demand for parties at the O-club.

We were approached by the Navy base's protestant chaplain, who asked if we would be willing to put together a brass quartet for an outdoor Easter sunrise service. My musician friend asked the chaplain for a list of the hymns that he wanted, and then he wrote arrangements for brass quartet for those hymns. Our quartet for the protestant service consisted of a Catholic, a Jew (me), the musician (who was agnostic), and the protestant chaplain.

Jarret been mentioned already, let me add Herbie Hancock more traditional jazz recordings. He’s a man of many different and talented angles.

Check the Modern Jazz Quartet. Lots of Bsch stuff there.

For instant fun, try Jon Batiste Beethoven Blues album.


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Thelonious Monk was classically trained in piano, and he is one of my very favorite pianists of all time. Unlike the vast majority of pianists who play other people's compositions, Monk was an incredible composer and player who improvised, IMO a more admirable artistic skill set than someone who sits in front of sheet music and plays someone else's notes.

And certainly Keith Jarrett is another one, I listen to his Koln Concert CD at least once a month, along with his Mozart Piano Concertos (K271, 453, 466)

Monk was the first who came to my mind, as well.

When i first started listening to Jazz, Oscar Peterson was my entryway to it. Very easy on the ears.

Listening to familiar pop/rock tunes adapted to jazz is also gratifying. Beatles, Pink Floyd and Bowie come to mind.

The Great Jazz Trio, Modern Jazz Quartet, Bill Evans, Monk, so many to name.

Take it easy, there are plenty out there.

Are you looking for quiet or more energic music?

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A must hear is very likely Keith Jarrett Koln Concert (just piano).

https://youtu.be/-B0Coi2nKok?feature=shared

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Thanks.

I listened to part of the Koln concert. Nice!

I was mostly just curious about the ability of pianists at the top of their domain (Jazz, Classical) and whether the would be cross-competent. I'm sure they could play across domains but how good would they be? And perhaps it's easier going in one direction over the other?