Piano World Home Page Forums Our Most Popular Forums Pianist Corner Lola Astanova

Forget about winning, I don't think she can measure up to any of the 78 contestants there.

She would not get accepted to compete in the Chopin competition. Or Van Cliburn, Kapell or any other major competition for that matter. She still plays the piano well, and will probably have a more successful career as a pianist ( success in this case being defined by exposure and money made playing classical piano music ) than most of the contestants in these competitions.

Well, at least I didn't. However you've now called me a teenager, and "judging by your comments you must be a woman." You got the second one, but buddy, I'm 21, ok? Good lord.

Actually, it is true that his wife died like that. He hasbeen traumatized ever since. Wouldn't you, if the one person you loved so much passed away in such a horrible manner?

I'm a fan of his early works only. Probably up until the mid nineties. I agree that everything after that is very bizzare..

Music and competition. Wow, I become sad now. Here I thought that those who lived and breathed music did so because they couldn't help it, the need for ecstacy had to be transmitted and felt. That passion and joy was the great driver, not simple competition that we see all around us in every day life.

Then I read this thread and after the first 10 responses or so I stop from sadness that all they talk about is "I have heard musicians that are better", "she is not better than..." etc. My guess is Mozart and Beethoven are weeping in their grave right now from these sorry arguments.

To me Astanova comes across as a brave, curious and creative artist, exploring the meaning of art, exploring new territory (look at her website and the vidoes where she speaks about art). Her technique may not be out of this world, but then technique was always secondary to all the true greats (and we all know the expense with which top 1%ishness is often attained, usually drying out musicality in the process, except for very few). Her passion for music is alive and well. Is it so for you too? Or did joy get lost somewhere and music become dry and is this why you are now sitting on the internet comparing artists in this sorry manner?

No wonder it is a dying art if the majority of its practitioners have this view - which is so foreign to all art. Normal people are right to stay away.

Jacob777, well said.

I have nothing against LA, as i don't know her, she may be a wonderful person. But if someone comes witth a statement as bold as "I challenge you to find a more exciting concert pianist.", well, seems someone accepts the challenge. I can think of dozens of more exciting concert pianists. AND IM TALKING STRICTLY MUSIC HERE , to quote the op.

Its not about competition, it sabout preferences. I prefer Richter to Astanova. What's the big deal? You even mentioned Beethoven and Mozart ... why not some other lesser known composers? See, it s about preferences.

Jacob - The problem started with the original post. The OP challenged members to find a more exciting pianist - and, of course, everyone here is entitled to their opinions - including you. But IMO you are making some very unfair assumptions about the folks who participate in these forums. Ms. Astanova may have great passion for music and a more than adequate technique - but it is extremely unlikely that she will ever become or be considered a "great" pianist.

I have been lurking, reading this thread... and really feel like I need to say something...

Can we talk about the fact that Astanova is a 25 year old woman and choosing to portray herself as a sex object. She is not a minor being dressed up by someone else, she is making the choice to look this way. People can dress however they choose, but they need to be aware that others are making assumptions based on their appearance. If I wanted to portray myself as an entertainer, I would dress like Astanova. If I wanted people to take me seriously as a musician, I would cover up and dress like a professional.

She is obviously an intelligent person, from reading her wiki page, she graduated with a MM from Rice when she was 23. Now most people trying to pursue a career, as a pianist or possibly as an educator, would not have pictures/videos of themselves looking like they belong on the cover of Maxim. Once again, she is 25!!! She is making a choice to show herself this way, and to me that says she is putting her appearance well before the actual music.

Basically, I think she is well aware that she is not making it into the Van Cliburn competition anytime soon, and is choosing to just attract attention with her looks. For that reason, I do not think the musicality of these videos is anything worthy of discussion. Great entertainer, but not many people choose to discuss the musicality of entertainers either.

Could not have said it better, Rachel! She strikes me as someone who has opted to stop doing the work of truly exploring music in favor of selling out for "fame" and "stardom" in the cult of personality, ala Lady Gaga. She is clearly, very self-consciously posing on the piano bench.

Pitty. Maybe she'll come to her senses and calm down enough to make music again some day. People do change over time...

^^ this

In the mean time, lets enjoy her assets, and put the volume on mute.

Certainly the recommended way to get through a Maksim video.

Victor, I am not exactly a prude, but gosh.. you have made that comment ad nauseam here and elsewhere... We get it.. It is just that this is not the pilots' lounge, you know!

I've no doubt that you'll jump me for being rude, but as I told Guldesque, you, too, need to pull your head out of your pants and stop thinking with little Vic. Cmon, seriously, grow up man.

Well...I started this and it went about as I expected.

How she looks, she's not Horowitz or Argerich, etc. She puts herself before the music, etc.

One question:

Can she play the piano well?

Bech

Well, to sum up . . . she plays well enough to entertain the masses, and she apparently looks good enough to carry the cretin vote, but in the end, she can't hold a candle to hundreds, if not thousands, of less "exciting", but far more satisfying, pianists.

Kind of like a very young wine - it's intoxicating, but it's more likely to make you spew purple chunks than enhance the subtle flavors of a gourmet dinner.

Haha ok sorry

for a concert pianist, i d say she s average

compared to me she s piano goddess

compared to horowitz she s XXXX

Why don't you answer your own question? Playing well (ie, being a good pianist) and being an artist, musician are two very different things.

People need to start thinking a little more critically, and stop accepting everything as 'good'. Not everything is good. So many people today completely miss what art is about.. that age died with the old masters. Pianists these days usually have great technique and nothing to say. How is that worth it? (I'm not particularly talking only about LA). Of course she is good, but these is so much more to music than just being "good"!