About Gustavo Cardinal

Gustavo Cardinal has performed solo and chamber music in the United States, Denmark, Sweden, Brazil, Argentina, Chile, and his native Uruguay, receiving both audience and critical acclaim. Among other prizes, he obtained the First Prize of the international piano competition ÒTributeÓ (ÒGuiomar Novaes AwardÓ, Sao Paulo, 1994), and the First Prize of the ÒCity of Montevideo Piano CompetitionÓ (1996).

His performing career developed alongside a strong passion for teaching. Cardinal taught privately for 10 years in Montevideo (Uruguay). Between 1999 and 2004, he was a member of the piano faculty at Interlochen Arts Camp (MI). In 2004, he joined the faculty of the IU Young Pianists Program (and between 2007 and 2008 he also served as Executive Assistant for this program and the IU Summer Piano Academy). Since Fall 2007, Cardinal has served as the sole assisting instructor (Adjunct Lecturer) for the Piano Pedagogy courses at the JSoM.

In addition to his activities as performer and teacher, Cardinal has specialized in the study of physiological and biomechanical aspects of music performance and their implications in the onset of performance-related medical problems. His ongoing research in this area, with its sophisticated measurements of pianistsÕ hands and motions, represent the cutting edge of performance research and has the potential to modify certain teaching practices and help many at-risk performers avoid injury.

Piano Performance and Your Body

MA 006 @ 7.00pm

Performance injuries are most often the result of incorrect use of our body. Knowledge of physiological aspects of playing can help prevent and better manage these problems. Awareness of potential issues and familiarity with the available information in this area may also enable us to help our at-risk piano students.

This presentation will examine the physiological elements involved in piano performance. An analysis of relevant anatomical structures, their function and motion patterns will provide the basis for the formulation of general principles underlying healthy piano playing. The role of individual variations will also be examined. Various common playing-related medical problems will be discussed, along with practical steps pianists can take to prevent them. Research findings will illustrate and support the information presented.