Jim
I think some pianists turn to conducting as they age and are losing their physical skills. Physically, it is easier to conduct than play a piano. I recall reading that Sv Richter was despondent in his 80's for this reason, and stopped playing in public. He also once said that he did not want to conduct because that would mean taking a 6 months break from his piano practice, and he doubted he could recover after that.
As you say, Ashkenazy is a good case in point. Barenboim is another.
Many first rate pianists are fully capable of being conductors, but it is hard to do both.
In USA we have very few athletes who succeed at two professional sports.
Bo Jackson and Deion Sanders are the only two that I recall. Danny Ange played baseball just enough to get some leverage about which basketball team he would play for. Remember when Michael Jordan quit basketball to attempt pro golf? It did not work out for him.
In college I knew a guy who lettered in 5 sports in his freshman year, went on the play on the Davis Cup tennis team. But he never played but one sport professionally (tennis).
I think some pianists turn to conducting as they age and are losing their physical skills. Physically, it is easier to conduct than play a piano. I recall reading that Sv Richter was despondent in his 80's for this reason, and stopped playing in public. He also once said that he did not want to conduct because that would mean taking a 6 months break from his piano practice, and he doubted he could recover after that.
As you say, Ashkenazy is a good case in point. Barenboim is another.
Many first rate pianists are fully capable of being conductors, but it is hard to do both.
In USA we have very few athletes who succeed at two professional sports.
Bo Jackson and Deion Sanders are the only two that I recall. Danny Ange played baseball just enough to get some leverage about which basketball team he would play for. Remember when Michael Jordan quit basketball to attempt pro golf? It did not work out for him.
In college I knew a guy who lettered in 5 sports in his freshman year, went on the play on the Davis Cup tennis team. But he never played but one sport professionally (tennis).