![]() Stop referring to them in this way: “My accompanist…” First, simply ask the pianist how he/she/they want to be addressed. They will have their own sense of their role and what enables them to feel honored for their role in the performance.Seeing as there are many thoughts surrounding titles and roles for pianists, and acknowledging that there is no right or wrong, here is a basic guideline for working with a pianist for your particular music group: Instead of seeking to find worth from a title, create worth in the way that you work with people. I have worked hard to set professional boundaries and expectations with each of the ensembles with whom I work as “pianist.” Similarly, I have intentionally crafted my career to include both roles as conductor and pianist so that I am continually reminded of how it feels from both perspectives of collaboration… With those that don’t respect the work that I do, I sever that relationship. ![]() …I don’t believe I can support the creation of a new term or degree simply to appease the insecurities of a few. Obviously, there are many Collaborative Pianists out there that can attest that neither their relationship nor their sense of appreciation from their respective ensemble has changed due to their re-naming in a concert program. I don’t see instrumentalists or vocalists listing themselves as a collaborative oboist, collaborative cellist, or collaborative soprano (insert joke here). However, pianists seem to be the only performing medium that seeks to redefine themselves in order to gain more attention. This is obviously not true, yet it remains as a toxic thought that permeates the performing world. “Having a distinction between collaborative pianists and accompanists creates an apartheid system in the profession where:Ĭollaborative Pianists = really good accompanists.” ![]() The author of the other blog does follow up with a post seeking to define what it is not. The following statement from that post sums up what I believe has been the result of the new term: But does the creation of a new term actually help eradicate the insecurities that this term sought to fix? This could cause confusion among non-musicians about how to address these people. But do we need to create a title just to feel justified or affirmed? Indeed, pianists are incredibly versatile and can fulfill many roles in performance. Certainly, most pianists can attest that the amount of gratitude received does not often equate to the felt significance of his or her role. It appears that this term resulted from a general feeling from pianists that their role as “accompanist” was accompanied ( ha) by an apparent lack of appreciation felt from those with whom they worked. But most of the world doesn’t know that this degree exists, or that there is a difference – most simply hear, I got a degree in piano. (This usually results in a comment like, Well, I hope you find a spouse/partner with a good paying job…HAHA.) Over 100 schools now offer this degree, seemingly distinguishing those who actively seek experience working with other musicians as opposed to a solo piano career. Once this term hit the American academic realms, many schools began offering degrees in Collaborative Piano. Collaborative piano, on the other hand, is a term that implies equality, association, and teamwork.” “This field is also referred to with its former name as Piano Accompanying, a term which has traditionally implied inferiority, subservience, working “for” rather than “with” a recital partner. The Collaborative Piano Blog continues its definition of the “collaborative pianist” with the following statements: Why the inconsistency and confusion around how folk understand this role? The term “collaborative pianist” is a fairly recent term (1990s), and the reasons for its emergence cause me to wonder: what’s the deal with the new nomenclature for pianists?Įach time I have sat at the piano and performed, my role has been acknowledged in a variety of ways, and my practice of retaining a program from every piano performance has yielded the following results: The definition from The Collaborative Piano Blog is fairly on point, but I struggle with this conversation around identity. Over the past 15 years, I have enjoyed the privilege (most of the time) of playing the piano with countless individuals, ensembles, and events around the world – choirs, orchestras, instrumental and vocal soloists, congregations, house parties, conferences, nursing homes, and even political primaries. “Collaborative Piano is a term used to denote a field of the piano profession where a pianist works in collaboration with one or more instrumentalists, singers, dancers, or other artists.”
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |