This footage consist of a number of sequences showing various pianists showing their keyboard techique, both at normal speed and in slow motion, shot in the 1950s. The first pianist shown is Glenn Gould, who demonstrates his crossing-over hands technique. <3mn 5s>. This is followed by sequences of three other male pianists, a repeat of the sequence with Gould, four other male pianists, close-up of the hands of a woman pianist while she plays, and another man. This is followed by a film with the following intertitles: "Rudolf Firkusny demonstrates a few basic problems of the piano technique. Pictures taken in normal speed and in slow motion. (Played Feb. 28, 1951 for Michel Hirvy in his studio in Montreal). Repeated notes. Example: Chopin, Waltz No. 1 Bar 21-36. Trills. Example: Chopin, Waltz No. 6. Thirds. Example: Chopin, Étude op. 25 No. 7. Sixths. Example: Chopin, Étude op. 25 No. 8 (Last 4 bars). Repeated notes with the thumb. Example: Reconnaissance from Carneval by Schumann. Extended Arpeggi. Example: Chopin, Étude op 1o [sic] No. 1. (Sic) Rapid leaps with both hands. Example: Schumann, Fantasia in C. End of the Second Movement. Big Leaps. Example: Liszt Campanella. Hand, Wrist and Arm Motion in slow Cantilene. Example: Chopin, Nocturne in D flat. Staccato Scale (D major). Strong Chords and Octaves. Example: Schumann, Fantasia in C. 2nd mov. Last 6 bars of the 1st section. Legato Scales. Example: Chopin, Impromptu in F sharp." Firkusny film is repeated. Footage of Rosalyn Tureck, with intertitles as follows: "Rosalyn Tureck demonstrates a few basic problems of the piano technique. Pictures taken in normal speed and in slow motion. (Played for Michel Hirvy in Mrs. Tureck studio [sic] in New York, Mar. 23, 1951). Staccato with crossing hands. Example: Bach, Gigue from the First Partita. Chords. Example: Bach, The Goldberg Variations, No. 29. Trills and other Ornaments. Example: Bach, Aria from the Goldberg Variations (4 bars). A) Big Leaps b) Octaves with Trills c) Alternatingchromatic scales. Example: Liszt, Excerpts from Campanella. Bach; Courante from the Partita No. 6." This is followed by more footage, with no intertitles, of various pianists, including closeup of hands on piano, close-up of keys striking piano wires, close-ups of hands of two other pianists (part of this footage is in soft focus). Footage of a bespectacled man playing. Repeat of Gould sequence. Repeat of footage of several male pianists. Footage of two different men playing. Close-up of hands playing and wider shot of a male pianist. Accompanying list identifies some of the musicians as Rudolph Serkin, Franz Brow, Michel Hirvy, Pierre Sancan and Rose Goldblatt. Pieces performed include Webern, Two part invention in F, Bach, and Eroica variations by Beethoven. <1h 19mn>
