Remembering Mihaela Ursuleasa
mainIt is seven years since the young Romanian pianist was found dead in Vienna, reportedly the victim of a brain aneurysm at the age of 33.
She was the best friend and regular recital partner of Patricia Kopatchinskaya, who feared she might never recover.
The passage of time distorts loss. Contrary to the popular adage, time never fully heals.
Here is a remembrance of what music lost.
A fine pianist all too poorly represented on disc. I had the pleasure of hearing her many times as well as chatting to after recitals in London, Romania, etc. I recall her attacking Paul Constantinescu’s Toccata on the Steinway at the Romanian Cultural Institute in London as a concert opener. Afterwards, I commented that she approached the battle with a wicked glint in her eye, knowing that her audience would be ill prepared for the ferocious encounter. “I won that battle!”, she exclaimed, with such joyous laughter.
A real tragedy. A beautiful artist. I just found this on YOUTUBE, her last concert before her untimely death:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fexi85qsIdA