WILLIAM AIDE
Canadian pianist (b 1938)

William Aide received his training in Toronto with Alberto Guerrero, and at the Juilliard School and with Beveridge Webster in New York. He was the first prize winner at several important Canadian piano competitions. In addition to his work as a piano soloist, he was the recital partner of Rivka Golani, Lois Marshall and Elizabeth Söderström, among others. The great Glenn Gould praised the "structural clarity and integrity which has long been a hallmark of his playing . . ."

Based on my hearing of the complete Chopin Études performed below by William Aide, this pianist is truly exceptional. Gould's above referenced statement about his playing is spot on. There is indeed a clarity, and a delicious elasticity, to his performances. And while it may not be idiomatically Polish in style, it is very beautiful and unquestionably valid.

William Aide is a marvelous accompanist. Several extended examples of his art follow in the form of three song cycles by Schumann, and if you take special care in listening to the piano part you will hear a true collaboration rather than an accompaniment.

William Aide also taught, as most musicians do. Included - those of you who play and teach might find this particularly interesting - are four videos of his university class in the teaching of performance of Mozart and Bach.

Chopin  Études

Op 10
1 in C major
01:59  2 in A minor
03:26  3 in E major
08:21  4 in C♯ minor
10:31  5 in G♭ major
12:17  6 in E♭ minor
16:05  7 in C major
17:47  8 in F major
20:02  9 F minor
22:18  10 in A♭ major
24:31  11 in E♭ major
27:00  12 in C minor

Op 25
29:58  1 in A♭ major
32:34  2 in F minor
34:28  3 in F major
36:36  4 in A minor
38:24  5 in E minor
41:58  6 in G♯ minor
44:05  7 in C♯ minor
49:58  8 in D♭ major
51:14  9 in G♭ major
52:20  10 in B minor
56:50  11 in A minor
1:00:34  12 in C minor