pianism

American  

[pee-uh-niz-uhm, pee-an-iz-, pyan-] / ˈpi əˌnɪz əm, piˈæn ɪz-, ˈpjæn- /

noun

1. the artistry and technique of a pianist.

2. performance by a pianist.

   an evening of first-rate pianism.

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pianism British  

/ ˈpiːəˌnɪzəm /

noun

1. technique, skill, or artistry in playing the piano

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Other Word Forms

• pianistic
  adjective

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Etymology

Origin of pianism

First recorded in 1835–45; pian(o) ¹ + -ism

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

pianism

It feels as if he’s letting us in on a private communion with his hero as he deepens his own pianism.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 19, 2026

Vadim Neselovskyi’s third-stream pianism shares the qualities of a sculpture carved in ice: finely wrought detail, sharply traced; glinting elegance; coolness to the touch; refractions of light.

From New York Times ● Jun. 17, 2022

A cerebral and illuminating pianist, especially in contemporary repertoire, he’s not a player who dazzles you with pianism per se, instead reaching through the music to find expression and communication.

From Washington Post ● Feb. 14, 2019

With smaller ensembles, his commanding pianism — equal parts Thelonious Monk, Chucho Valdés and Bill Evans — bursts to the fore.

From New York Times ● Mar. 8, 2018

They are of the intermediate grades, and instructive for time, rhythm and important phrases of real pianism.

From Twelve Preludes for the Pianoforte Op. 25 I. Prelude in F Major by N. Louise Wright

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