Sicklist: Trifonov’s out
mainThe hottest pianist of the moment, Daniil Trifonov, has cancelled his two dates at Tanglewood this week with an ear infection. He was playing last week at Verbier high altitude and departed in distress.
He is replaced by the Canadian Marc-André Hamelin in recital and by the Argentine Ingrid Fliter in Chopin’s second piano concerto.
It’s Ingrid belated debut with the Boston Symphony.
Toi-toi.
With Hamelin you get the better artist.
Arguably so compared to IF, but not as good as DT.
The hottest pianist since the death of Richter is Martha Argerich.
I’m not sure I want “hot” with my serious music.
Chopin’s 2nd piano concerto, that absolute rarity of the repertoire….
The stand-in begs to be scrabbled – like “trifling ride”, or perhaps “flirted rig in” ?
She begs to be listened to, if you haven’t had the pleasure.
Here is “The Triff” in Verbier last year playing with his erstwhile teacher, Sergei Babayan:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wTVa-w1VkZ0
I have heard her on two occasions. She has a fine technique, but seems incapable of expression and inflection. Some like her playing but I think it is like there is something of disconnect in her brain. The playing was, to my ears, pedantic, even if it was “accurate.”