Antonio Pompa-Baldi on why no one should hear the hammers

Antonio Pompa-Baldi is a pianist who won the 1999 Cleveland International Piano Competition and a silver medal at the 2001 Van Cliburn International Piano Competition. He teaches at the Cleveland Institute of Music, where he leads the keyboard and guitar performance department.

Here are six of his best tips, from the feedback he gave young pianists as a juror at the Piano Star International Competition, presented by Piano League.

1. Don’t let anyone hear the hammers

You have to search for and listen, when you practice, really listen for a sound that does not make you hear the hammers striking the strings, and that truly connects the sounds in a long line. It sounds easy, but I think it’s the most difficult task for us.

Antonio Pompa-Baldi

Watch this moment (1:42:38)

2. Remember the piano is a percussive instrument

The piano is essentially, by its nature, a percussive instrument. Most of the music that we play needs legato, imitating for example the human voice, or at times string instruments with their bowings, or wind instruments.

Antonio Pompa-Baldi

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3. Think like a conductor

The piano is the most polyphonic of instruments, and so we do need to think and act a little bit more like a conductor would. Your orchestra is your ten fingers.

Antonio Pompa-Baldi

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4. Spotlight the voice that leads

Just like in a great orchestra, you have to layer the instruments very carefully, spotlighting more those instruments that you feel are leading in that particular moment.

Antonio Pompa-Baldi

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5. Keep everything else soft and clear

Give more room to the more important elements in voice leading, but also craft carefully everything else while keeping it softer and maintaining transparency.

Antonio Pompa-Baldi

Watch this moment (1:42:05)

6. Individuality is the key ingredient

Each showed the most important ingredient, which is the individuality. They all have personality, along with the good technical skills they already possess and also are continuing to develop.

Antonio Pompa-Baldi

Watch this moment (1:41:25)

Quotes are lightly edited for length and clarity. They come from Mr. Pompa-Baldi’s comments as a judge at the 2020 Piano Star International Competition. You can watch the full performances and feedback on the Piano League YouTube channel.