Rebecca Penneys competed against Martha Argerich in the 1965 Chopin Competition

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"I don't remember being on earth without playing the piano." Esteemed pianist and longtime Eastman professor Rebecca Penneys speaks about Chopin and her pivotal choice between piano and dance.
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[@JohnSmith-oe5kx]

Penneys suggests that she lost to Argerich at the 1965 Chopin Competition because Argerich was older (yes) and better prepared (probably). But the six finalists that year were: Martha Argerich (1st prize and Best Performance of a Mazurka) Arthur Moreira Lima (2nd prize) Marta Sosinska (3rd prize and Best Performance of a Polonaise) Hiroko Nakamura (4th prize) Edward Auer (5th prize) Elzbieta Glabowna (6th prize) The only two special prizes were those won by Argerich and Sosinska. Honourable mentions (and prize money) were also awarded to six other pianists: Marek Jablonski Tamara Koloss Lois Carole Pachucki Viktoria Postnikova Bianka Uribe Ewa Maria Zuk Penneys wants us to believe that the audience "fell in love with" a pianist who was not among the twelve who won prize money, which is at least possible, but there is no "Special Critics Prize" at the Chopin Competition, and never has been. This has not stopped Penneys from repeatedly making that claim in her biography. The claim also appears in her Wikipedia page, which cites only... her biography at the Eastman School of Music (which apparently took her word for it). She makes a similar claim about a "Most Outstanding Musician Prize" that she supposedly won at the Vianna da Motta International Music Competition (there is no record of any such prize). Penneys did win third prize at the 1975 Paloma O'Shea International Piano Competition, which is described on her Wikipedia page as being "a top prizewinner" (arguably correct, although somewhat misleading because there is no reason not to say "third prize" except to avoid mentioning that she placed third), but on her own website as being "Top Prizewinner", which is a lie. Prizes are obviously not everything in music. They are merely an indication of the opinions of certain people--although supposedly knowledgeable ones. But they do carry certain weight, which is why people make false claims and exaggerations about them, as Penneys seems to do.

[@user-zz5je1ry1o]

Umm Pogorelich rings a bell?

[@JohnSmith-oe5kx]

@@user-zz5je1ry1o Ironically, Argerich resigned from the jury over that one. But at least Pogorelich's playing was controversial, and he had won prior competitions, and he went on to international fame. Is any of that true about Penneys? And it is all well-documented

[@user-zz5je1ry1o]

@@JohnSmith-oe5kx I’m simply saying it’s possible for the audience to like someone who didn’t make it very far. Andaloro in Cliburn 2005, Sultanov in Tchaikovsky etc. but I have to say you seem extremely biased: everyone writes “laureate” or “top prize winner”. People understand it’s not first because winners will make sure you know that they are (“gold medalist” “1st prize” etc.)

[@JohnSmith-oe5kx]

@@user-zz5je1ry1o I agree with all that except the part about bias. If all Penneys did was say she was "a top prizewinner" I wouldn't care at all. But she says on her own webpage that she was "top prizewinner" (false) and seems to have made up a bunch of other things--at best there is no evidence to back up her claims. She makes these representations publicly, to bolster her credentials as a teacher. If I discover that she is lying or embellishing, I am going to say so.

[@user-zz5je1ry1o]

@@JohnSmith-oe5kx that’s fair enough. But you seem to have a lot of energy for this, considering no one knows who she is. It almost feels personal.

[@Snufkin999]

Is it just me or does she sound like she's still competing with Martha? "Argerich won...BUT the audience loved me" I think if she had the ears and humility to recognize that Martha Argerich is on a completely different level, not even close to her, then maybe she would've improved and could've come closer to Martha's level.

[@laputa6464]

You are not wrong 😹

[@JohnSmith-oe5kx]

Penneys was not among the sixth finalists, nor did she get one of the six honorable mentions--so Argerich is basically irrelevant to how she did. Plus Penneys seems to have completely invented the "Special Critics Prize", there has never been one at the Chopin Competition.

[@davidfoust9767]

I don't think so. Argerich is almost super human. You can't achieve that just through hard work and humility.

[@mr.fredericchopin6214]

@@davidfoust9767 Funny, when Horowitz and Rubinstein were alive, I found that I just ignored Argerich. She is too impulsive and released in her aggressive playing for my tastes in Chopin. To me, she became superhuman after the super-super human pianists died (Horowitz and Rubinstein). There are many very fine pianists and they are like the cream that rose to the top after the real cream, Horowitz and Rubinstein died. To me, it's not important how phenomenal is Argerich's technique. it's the artist's capacity to tell compelling stories in the language of music that interests me. Horowitz's and Rubinstein's interpretations are what I loved.

[@saratoon.s8410]

Argerich won AND the audience loved Argerich.

[@sacrilegiousboi978]

“She was more prepared, she was older” “but the audience loved me”Jeez lady, have some humility. Martha was a piano genius, that’s why she won.

[@Peter-hz3vs]

I gotta say: Martha’s attention to detail is also what’s marvellous. She did not just play safe to wow us but also her bravery to try all different genres to music and having interpretations. There are many geniuses in the piano world but there are a handful who can achieve the level of argerich

[@NomeDeArte]

Aguante ARGENTINA

[@FrancisAsin-Gioro]

She is nothing inappropriate. You should be humiliated. You are nothing. Loser

[@mooneulogy8717]

If it offends than you probably share the same trait. She's an older woman, stop caring so much.

[@republiccooper]

Let her enjoy her moment.

[@Mulovita]

Rebecca, Martha is still older than you today (over 80yo now) and is still "better prepared" 😂😂😂

[@JohnSmith-oe5kx]

Yes, Penneys is either delusional or stretching the truth. Penneys was not among the sixth finalists, nor did she get one of the six honorable mentions--so Argerich is basically irrelevant to how she did. Plus Penneys seems to have completely invented the "Special Critics Prize", there has never been one at the Chopin Competition.

[@bsmusicd]

Penneys was 18. Argerich was 25 and better prepared. There is no lie in that statement. 🙄

[@Mulovita]

@@bsmusicd No lie, just 100% delusion.

[@bsmusicd]

@@Mulovita that's not how competitions work. No one is annointed and it's not always a meritocracy. Ashkenazy came in 2nd, Trifonov 3rd. Ax said the virtually the same of Ohlsson's win.

[@tonicopm]

@@bsmusicd Nop. Martha was still 23, as she was born in June 1941 and the Chopin Competition was during February-March.

[@Jack-hy1zq]

I switched off when she started talking as if she was in the same league as Martha. Give me a break!

[@JohnSmith-oe5kx]

Penneys was not among the sixth finalists, nor did she get one of the six honorable mentions--so Argerich is basically irrelevant to how she did. Plus Penneys seems to have completely invented the "Special Critics Prize", there has never been one at the Chopin Competition.

[@willemboone7912]

In her dreams, she is ;-)

[@jeffaldridge4051]

I can almost hear Martha’s gentle and captivating smile……..

[@DiegoGomelsky]

@@jeffaldridge4051😂😂😂😂😂

[@mahnighorashi5684]

"She was more prepared"? Martha Argerich won because she is one of the greatest pianists in the history of music, in a different galaxy to this pianist. The lack of humility borders on delusional. It's like saying Michelangelo bested you because he had a better chisel.

[@JohnSmith-oe5kx]

Penneys was not among the sixth finalists, nor did she get one of the six honorable mentions--so Argerich is basically irrelevant to how she did. Plus Penneys seems to have completely invented the "Special Critics Prize", there has never been one at the Chopin Competition.

[@francescoelia.marino]

Perfect comment 😎 or it would like saying :Michelangelo spent more tome training….

[@davidfoust9767]

Yeah kind of funny to chalk it up to her being older and more prepared. Penneys is a fantastic pianist, but no amount of experience or preparation could allow her to compete with Argerich. And there's no shame in that, every hundred years there are maybe 5 pianists like Argerich.

[@bsmusicd]

That's not how competitions work. If it were Ashkenazy would have won first prize rather than second. Trifonov first prize rather than third.

[@vova47]

So true!

[@MyrnaIrwin]

Rebecca never ceases to amaze us...and now to learn about her love of dance...we are blessedd to have her in our lives.

[@RolandHuettmann]

I feel, because she is so rich inside, full of joy, she blesses everyone. Music and dance are truly the means of expression and a path to the development of such inner life.

[@willemboone7912]

@@RolandHuettmann Apart from the dance part, this applies perfectly to... Martha Argerich! ;-)

[@brunoparis20nation]

She doesn’t realize how bad she looks by saying that she was just younger and less prepared than Argerich but the public preferred her. I don’t know whether it’s true but given the differences in their career it sounds really horrible like envy and misplaced narcissism.

[@republiccooper]

She never said the audience "preferred" her. She said "but the audience fell in love with me."

[@KunalKumarMoorjani]

I think looking at her life that she showed us, it seems pretty privileged. I think when you think you are all that and you went into international competition against one of the best pianists of all time, you will get a rude awakening, and all you can do is deny deny and deny.

[@zebeauv]

Argerich won because she is a Genius. That’s all…

[@mackiceicukice]

Argerichis not a genius , she is extraordinary. Bach is genius , Mozart , Beethoven etc…

[@winrx]

So in a sense she really was more "prepared"...... ; D

[@laputa6464]

@@mackiceicukice She IS a genius.

[@mackiceicukice]

@@laputa6464 If you say so- she doesn't think that though.

[@laputa6464]

@@mackiceicukice Bach doesn’t consider himself one either if that matters.

[@msroman810]

No hay comparación con Martha Argerich…. La reina absoluta del piano. Abrazos 💖💖💖🇦🇷🇦🇷🇦🇷

[@SuperTicklemonsters]

No shame in losing to Martha Argerich! Love your videos!

[@laputa6464]

It seems that she still couldn't digest the result completely after all these years...

[@user-xv4he4mt4x]

no shame in losing.....🤨

[@JohnSmith-oe5kx]

But there is shame in lying about your biography. I can find no evidence whatsoever of any "Special Critics Prize" being awarded at the Chopin Competition, aside from Penneys's own biography. The same goes for the "Most Outstanding Musician Prize" that she supposedly won at the Vianna Da Motta Competition. Seems very strange to me.

[@republiccooper]

Truth.

[@tonicopm]

The way she says she lost to Martha Argerich because she was older and more prepared sounds like she got second or at least third prize and almost was in direct competition with Argerich. Not at all! Rebecca Penneys, whom I had never heard of, didn't even get any honorific mention.

[@jamesrobert4106]

A pathological liar, with distinct levels of mental illness.

[@Piratebreadstick]

The comments on this thread make me really sad. Here is a pianist whom, by any standard, is truly amazing, and is being vilified because she made the fatal error of opening her mouth and showing her vulnerabilities regarding an even greater pianist, Argerich. It's understandable, even though ill advised., but can you imagine what it must be like. She was 18 and fabulous. She would have been the best pianist within a 1000 mile radius and then, Argerich appears, and her life dreams disappear. People, have a bit of compassion. The Chopin competition is perhaps the most elite of competitions, and really, the top 10 pianists are pretty much as good as each other, so the argument that she didn't even make the final 5 or whatever is neither here nor there. Remember that Michelangeli didn't make it in the top 6 either when he was 18 - he came 7th in a piano competition in 1938 in which Gilels took first. I've heard Rebecca in a few videos and she's still one of the best pianists in the world. Ok, not Pollini, Argerich, Horowitz et al, but seriously, neither is Schiff and 100s of truly excellent pianists who enjoy stellar careers.

[@filipecameradebona8388]

Yeah, schiff is much greater 😊

[@MrCinemuso]

Compassion is always a good thing to have more of in the 'piano world'. And it's always a relief to zoom out from the piano world, to the world of Music.

[@midimanradium1285]

@Piratebreadstick I completely agree with your comments. These master artists are not racehorses. Most people are interested in making them compete because they can't be like them. It is in human nature. The comments are not nice, people are cruel and anti-labor.

[@e.p.s.9037]

She didn't just lose to Argerich, there were 6 finalists and she wasn't one of them. She makes it sound like it was close and she lost because she "wasn't as prepared" and wasn't sure she wanted to complete, implying she could've done much better but she didn't try hard enough.

[@joechindamo1948]

@@e.p.s.9037 look, the best thing she could’ve done is is to keep her mouth shut. Everybody loves a modest winner, but they love a modest loser even more.

[@user-ob1rz3do3t]

I thought that Argerich didn’t prepare at all until the last minute for the competitions she won. I think she won because of being ‘correct’ in a sense with the textures and colour and moods which requires real in-depth understanding of classical music. Of course Penney plays superb but Chopin can also be dramatic, not always dancing and bel canto.

[@francescoelia.marino]

Martha did not need to be prepared to win. Martha played her first concerto when she was 8. Martha is at another level compared to all the current living pianists!

[@justadude641]

This is not true. Argerich practices a lot, even today. Last week I went to the backstage at Colon Theater, after her concert there, and we waited some time for her to receive us, because she was practicing after her concert for correcting her mistakes. She really is a genius but there is also a tremendous amount of work.

[@francescoelia.marino]

@@justadude641 Of course, but you would agree that practice alone can not lead to Martha's level. Martha has something more. And Martha has said several times that she went to the Chopin Competition at the last minute. She won not only because she practiced but she is just extraordinary on the piano!

[@brumels1570]

​@@francescoelia.marinoshe is a genius but she also won because she constantly plays the piano. She didnt wake up and sight read the pieces for the competition. I think older Westerners put too much on natural ability and far too little on hard passionate work.

[@francescoelia.marino]

@@brumels1570 of course - nobody wakes up and play a piano concerto but Martha was playing Schuman and Beethoven at the age of 8 and she played something a teacher used to play by ears - it is not only practice there is something else there

[@brunoparis20nation]

Most child prodigy become regular folks as this lady. There are few Martha Argerich by definition.

[@csaihabla630]

I love how the marriage of these two art forms works. It gives you a wider perspective.

[@vova47]

I pity any pianist competing against Martha Argerich. She is the reigning Queen of piano.

[@JayZX2000]

I took a masterclass with her on the G minor Ballade when I was 15. She was rather cold to me, but mostly because the piece was new to me and I played it in an inexperienced kind of way. I’m not sure if I got much from her, but I’m sure she meant well.

[@brunoparis20nation]

Malignant narcissism is never helpful.

[@davidcblock]

I had a similar experience when I was 17 and played for Nikita Magaloff. He was cold, mean and I did not gain a single point of insight on the piece. Even thought I paid dearly for the masterclass. It speaks volumes to the arrogance of some established pianists. When someone respects you enough to seek your advice (especially when being paid for it), it is your job to give it, not to project your petty, insecure subconscious impulses to the student.

[@jamesrobert4106]

Show us this Critics prize created solely for her.

[@kristine8338]

She is dancer for sure. Oh, those movements 😘

[@lucasgust7720]

Wow! Never heard of her and she is an amazing pianist!

[@milagrosrsconservatorio6452]

Realmente Martha es una genia. Una intérprete sobresaliente y arrolladora... Y es Argentina, es nuestro gran orgullo. 🇦🇷❤️🎶

[@milagrosrsconservatorio6452]

Rebecca eres maravillosa. Eres también talentosa. A seguir haciendo música y reconocer que no siempre se gana...

[@gergerklekle9400]

What a nice discovery for me - greetings from Berlin

[@davidofpiano423]

Interesting that she mentions Rubinstein as being an early influence, her hand position and execution looks very similar to his.

[@bobase]

Fact: Argerich only prepared for the competition at the last minute. Additionally, she was reluctant to participate into the Chopin competition initially.

[@trudyblue6422]

Actually, some of her audio-only recordings online sound like a completely different pianist playing and are in another league from her videos. In fact, they sound like recordings of a great, mature musician and a superb pianist with range - totally unrecognizable! The comments are turned off and with such playing I wonder why. Just a puzzle with all the claims above as well.

[@Xyriak]

Martha lives in her head rent-free. This woman is coping.

[@Manx123]

And also probably much, much, much better, lol

[@brucebuckley8483]

What an amazing life!

[@MrRjcosta]

There are excellent Pianists who play Chopin very well. But, after decades, and with my humble opinion, I consider that Pianist Arthur Moreira Lima (2nd Prize) was and is the best Chopin Interpreter I have ever seen and heard🎹🎼🎵🎶🎶🕊

[@angelob.1089]

I don’t know how so many can assume from such a short segment of this 3 minute clip that this woman was belittling Argerich in any sort of way, and I don’t see why it’s apparently so wrong for this woman to believe she left a positive impact on an audience during that competition. Yes, we all love Martha Argerich. She is fantastic and is among the greats. This comment from the much lesser known Rebecca was not a personal attack. Stop feeling so offended.

[@e.p.s.9037]

It's not what she said, but what she implied

[@davidpark737]

What pieces is she playing?

[@violamateo-on8pc]

Both are Chopin pieces: First, the A-Flat Major Waltz (op. 34 #1) and later, the D-Flat Major Nocturne, op. 27 #2.

[@SimonParker-hv6uu]

Her elbow is low compared to the keys, which is interesting. There are a few pianists who do this. I can't remember off the top of my head who those are. But what's the effect of a low elbow?

[@WilliamDurrant-ll8xy]

I would guess it allows for the wrist to do more work

[@ConnorChee]

Weight distribution. I believe there is a video somewhere where Horowitz demonstrates this

[@meinkanal7368]

Did you also play the piano for dancers ? Accompagny dancers ?

[@benedictdsilva3954]

Good sound and there is choreography in playing the piano...so dancing helps I think...

[@ghaze.c4official]

Good

[@tiagoguilherme1316]

to compete with Martha Argerich you need to be a mutant.....that's all😁🤷

[@NomeDeArte]

ARGENTINA campeón del mundo, yanqui envidiosa.

[@larchmontmark1]

Funny, I heard her in a chamber concert, around 1974, and afterward I told her (sincerely) that I felt she was better than _________ (famous great contemporary; won't say the name, since he soon became one of my great favorites). She was wonderful. The highlight was the Mendelssohn D minor Trio -- still hear it in my mind's ear.

[@RhotenXxX]

Jeez leave the poor woman alone! Don’t get offended for Argerich, I am sure she does not care. Neither of them do. Leave them both be!

[@haasee1443]

This comment section is so condescending. I don't know what's going on here...

[@bw2082]

She comes off as bitter and delusional with thinly veiled backhanded compliments.

[@mariemichelgouar7084]

Martha Argerich is an immense pianist but did not dare to enter the Chopin competition of 1960, (even though she was older and much more prepared...) because of the presence of an immense piano genius: Maurizio Pollini... Martha Argerich est une immense pianiste mais n'a pas osé se presenter au concours Chopin de 1960, (alors qu'elle était plus âgée et bien plus préparée...) à cause de la présence d'un immense genie du piano : Maurizio Pollini...

[@midimanradium1285]

Frankly, I'm not interested in first places. The interpretation I enjoy listening to may not be that of a well-known artist. I am open-minded about this. In some recordings of works, there are pianists whom I admire very much, but are unknown or less well-known. If that were the case, I would create my classical music archive from only one artist. Unfortunately, this doesn't work. Colors and tastes are indisputable...

[@clumpypiano]

she’s delusional lol

[@ItchyFingers-ee5oi]

subjective.

[@NN-rn1oz]

Nobody saw Penneys as a loser until this video. Tsk tsk

[@Akriskal]

Who is she ? 😅 She is not even in the 6 rank finalists, and there is no proof she participated. Martha Argerich is a real legend, and this Penneys woman will not be remembered.

[@MichaeldeWeaver]

Come on guys. You can appreciate Argerich without putting down Pennys.

[@molybdaenmornell123hopp5]

This whole situation illustrates why I dislike music competitions. You're being vulnerable by exposing your limits and feelings and you get judged and cut down to size. You're being idealistic, trying to express something of value, and you get reduced to a competitor, your music to weaponry. To me, art has to be a force for good and competition can turn it into the opposite.

[@Jack-hy1zq]

Penneys invites (almost demands) criticism by tacitly comparing herself to one of the greatest pianists of all time. In the competition in question, Penneys didn't even make the top six. Narcissists deserve criticism.

[@Asterioy]

She won because she is decades better than you

[@militaryandemergencyservic3286]

Actually - Peter Feutchwanger was the reason she won that competition. He taught her just before it. I think that is also written about on his website. I had a few tips on Chopin's Andante Spianato from Peter. He ws a master teacher and all the greats used to come to him for advice. Here is my version of Chopin's Andante Spianato on a keyboard if anyone wants to listen: kzbin.info/www/bejne/kKGyXmasp6uqa6s

[@laputa6464]

Many people claimed to have ‘taught’ her including Michelangeli who apparently taught her silence lol. The fact that it’s Peter who mentioned it makes it all the more dubious - she played the way she did because she’s Argerich. The only teacher influence she ever credited as far as I know was Gulda.

[@bsmusicd]

Argerich credits Anny Askenase, wife of Stefan with encouraging her to enter the Chopin competition. She's never once mentioned Peter F. and does not list him amongst her teachers in he bio.

[@militaryandemergencyservic3286]

interesting. Has she forgotten Peter? Maybe I'll have a word with her.

[@bsmusicd]

@@militaryandemergencyservic3286methinks Peter F exaggerates his influence.

[@militaryandemergencyservic3286]

maybe - maybe not