Juilliard was stale. And the piano keys were always greasy
Daily Comfort ZoneThe American pianist Jeremy Denk was, for many years, just that – an American pianist.
Then he won a MacCarthur ‘genius’ grant and wrote a New York Times bestseller.
In the latest episode of ‘Speaking Soundly’ David Krauss, principal trumpet of the Metropolitan Opera, wants to know how he did that.
‘The piano was my therapy,’ says Denk, describing a peripatetic childhood with an alcoholic parent. His first piano was rescued from a burlesque house. ‘I’m somewhat approved now,’ he says.
He calls Juilliard ‘stale’. So true. ‘And the keys on the pianos are always greasy.’
Fascinating conversation. Listen here.
Fascinating insights….if only this were matched by his actual playing.
How would he know that the piano keys were always greasy if he was always outside in front of the entrance smoking cigarettes, gossiping, and giving people dirty looks?
He wasn’t, he always got there early to secure, I think it was, room 443
I remember how he and his bestie would sit in the Con Lounge at Oberlin and throw pennies at the feet of people walking by, to see if the unsuspecting individuals would stop and pick up the change.
Mr. Denk is an absolute genius who could be described as a polymath — being able to deliver world-class performances, write books in the most insightful prose, and demonstrate an overall curiosity about the world that goes far beyond music and which informs his art. He allies depth of understanding and a high degree of intelligence to his insightful piano playing, which is quite unusual in an age in which most soloists tend to deliver efficient, yet somehow cookie-cutter interpretations that often fail to reveal a true personality. He succeeded into shaping a career that reflects who he is, which is no small feat given the conventional tone of the times we live in.
News Flash: Schools focusing on traditional classical music are stale.
With a simple bunch of wipes, available at any drug store, he would have been able to dispense with the ‘greasy’ problem.
Or would he rather a full time cleaner was employed, soaking up some of the institution’s budget?
He still is just that. An American pianist. A boring, self absorbed, and mediocre pianist at best.
And so it goes the beat. Casting the sleep into the eyes of the seemingly awake yet perplexed by the melodrone the chanting tantra of our chorus cast or be caste
I was there when he was, and even though he was a bit insufferable back then (but far from the norm at Juilliard) he’s smart and a good pianist and writes well even if over hyped.
But he’s absolutely right, Juilliard was mostly stale and the piano keys ALWAYS greasy.