Many list members have posted about the greater rewards of live
performances vs.  recordings, including the "communication" between artist
and audience members.  Not sharing this view, I found the following words
from Maria Joao Pires in the January Gramophone rather interesting:

   "Recording is really the only thing I like to do for the public.
   I don't like to play on stage - I have never liked that.  I don't
   feel comfortable.  On stage there are too many distractions.  You
   feel you have to prove yourself, to deserve your audience.  So you
   are tougher with yourself, rather than being able to love yourself,
   the music, your audience.  When I record, I feel much greater love
   towards the music and towards people!  I can do something which they
   can really share with me in their homes."

Although the above might lead one to think of Pires as some kind of
recluse, she has taken her 450 acre farm and built an experimental and
inter-disciplinary arts centre which also serves for concert performances
and recording venues.

Don Satz