Rudolf Buchbinder in an interview

"Learning and teaching cannot be compared."

Rudolf Buchbinder is a prominent figure in the international piano scene and a regular guest with leading orchestras and festivals worldwide. He has been the artistic director of the Grafenegg Festival since 2007.

Classicpoint.ch: You were considered a child prodigy. You were accepted into the Vienna Academy of Music at the age of five. Is it a disadvantage when teaching if you yourself never had any major difficulties learning?
Learning and teaching are not comparable. My goal has always been to pass on my experience as a pianist, as a performer, and on stage to young people.

They place great value on meticulous source research. Among other things, they own over 30 complete editions of Ludwig van Beethoven's piano sonatas, an extensive collection of first editions and original editions, as well as copies of the composer's own piano parts and scores. What fascinates you about this collection?
Getting to the bottom of the works down to the last detail, researching them, comparing them, and constantly discovering errors.

Which are particularly valuable discoveries from your source research that have influenced your interpretations?
Various dynamic inaccuracies and even wrong notes.

Have you ever composed yourself?
No.

For some time now, you have hardly made any CD recordings in the studio, but instead focus on live recordings. What is the reason for this shift?
The mindset in the studio is wrong: Emotion, spontaneity, AND nervousness are missing.

Do you play a concert differently when you know it's being recorded live?
NO.

You are a passionate amateur painter. What style do you paint in, and which painters do you particularly admire?
My self-taught style was influenced by my friends in the "Fantastic Realism" movement. Favorite painters: Hieronymus Bosch and Pablo Picasso.

Have you ever exhibited your paintings?
Yes.

Are there any projects where you would like to combine music and painting?
No.

You have a masterclass in Basel and are the artistic director of the Lower Austrian Music Festival in Grafenegg. Where do you see differences in the cultural landscape of Switzerland and Austria?
In the completely different traditions.

What distinguishes the Grafenegg Music Festival?
The exceptionally high quality of the orchestras, conductors, and soloists.

You have declined the honorary professorship of Austria three times, why?
I am a musician, not a professor. "Professor" is only used when you can't remember the name!

You have become internationally known primarily for your interpretations of Viennese Classical music. You have recorded the complete piano works of Joseph Haydn as well as all of Ludwig van Beethoven's piano sonatas. Which composer do you feel most comfortable with, and which works do you particularly enjoy?
My repertoire ranges from Bach to contemporary music; I enjoy playing all the great masters, but without a doubt, Beethoven is a central point in my life.

Interview by Florian Schär | Classicpoint.ch | December 8, 2011
Photo: Marco Borggreve