Chapters XXVI and XXVII Summary and Analysis

Chapters XXVI and XXVII describes influential composer-pianists in the history of the great pianists.

Chapter XXVI Composers at the Keyboard notes the fact that most great pianists were also composers, but not to the same degree. Greatness in either realm after Liszt was mutually exclusive with specific exceptions. Composers practice their composing skills to become great as do pianists practice their playing skill. Most great composers were pianists and despite their piano-playing greatness Mozart, Beethoven and Chopin were also great composers according to the author. Isaac Albeniz is remembered for his composition but was also a great pianist who debuted in 1864 Spain at four years-old and seven as a composer. He was dressed up as a French musketeer and made to appear onstage until the child ran away from home. At nine he caught a...