Cornell Center for Historical Keyboards Salon: “Extreme Pianism: The Discipline, Methods, and Gimmicks of Nineteenth-Century Virtuosity” PhD candidate Theodora Serbanescu-Martin presents her research on the physical, psychological, and pedagogical means through which virtuosity at the keyboard was inculcated during the nineteenth century. Pianistic technique could be drilled by teachers, programmed by exercises and methods, and honed by devices such as Henri Herz’s dactylion (1836), a replica of which will be discussed and demonstrated alongside music by Brahms (selections from 5 Studies), Liszt (Réminiscences de “Norma” and “Don Juan”), and Sophie Menter, and various excerpts from Herz, Wieck, Alkan, Kalkbrenner, Moscheles, and Clara Schumann. 

Seating is limited and is first-come, first-served.