How Martha Argerich gets herself on stage (will she, won’t she?)

Hilary says:

Perhaps an insight into why Martha Argerich’s concerto and solo repertoire has become rather small.

NicholasA says:

I think that nobody who doesn’t (have to!) go on stage for a living will ever quite understand what it takes, especially at the top of the profession: there is just indescribable pressure.

Years ago, at the peak of her early career, Argerich was asked who she admired most out of all her peers and she replied: “I think perhaps Artur Rubinstein, because he has learned how to play happily.” This chimes very closely with another statement which runs something like, “I love to play the piano, but I don’t really enjoy concerts.”

There are performers, though, who seem to thrive on the activity; it can be intensely addictive, with the need to experience again that extraordinary sense of achievement which can happen when it all seems – at least for the moment – to go right.

It’s a huge and fascinating subject. Watching this clip, I understand completely what this unbelievably wonderful artist is going through.

David Boxwell says:

She can’t go on. She must go on. She can’t go on. She must go on . . .