Leeds winner, 24, jumps in for stricken Pollini

Leeds winner, 24, jumps in for stricken Pollini

News

norman lebrecht

September 27, 2022

Ever since Maurizio Pollini cancelled his US tour two weeks ago, following a cardiac incident, the search has been on for a suitable sub.

The Chicago Symphony has settled on the young American Eric Lu, winner of the 2018 Leeds Competition.

He will play Mozart Piano Concerto No.27 under Riccardo Muti on 6, 7 and 8 October.

No pressure, then.

Comments

  • I beg your pardon says:

    I think I’ll have a refund thank you!

  • Serge says:

    Jumping in for Pollini on Mozart is absolutely no pressure. Pollini is not even mediocre in his Mozart. Stiff, unsensitive sound and phrasing. All the best for the young American.

  • Hans says:

    Eric Lu is a great artist and such a superb replacement. Very happy about this news.

  • Jake Thonis says:

    Bravo Eric!

  • Chicagorat says:

    Oh, he’s American.

    So he will not get from Muti the “Myung-whun Chung treatment”, I guess?

  • Una says:

    No point winning major or otherwise competitions if you then can’t deliver the career or do the job. Congrats to him. Eric will do a great job, and is also so nice with it.

  • Lothario Hunter says:

    Ita vero. Indeed, the pressure must be immense.

    Mr. Lu is after all facing a giant of culture and intelligence who, with age, has soared to the summit of human thought, to rescue us all from the mediocrity that we, unknowingly, had plunged into. We should treasure and meditate on this jewel that Muti has recently bestowed on an American newspaper (not in Latin):

    “It is scientifically proven that when the cows listen to the music of Mozart, they make very good milk. When they listen to contemporary music or avant-garde music, they make acid milk. Or maybe ricotta, I don’t know.”

    https://www.chicagomag.com/chicago-magazine/september-2022/riccardo-muti/

  • Paracelsus says:

    It’s scientifically proven that, as an outcome of the Muti era, the CSO can’t sell tickets anymore. Thielemann concerts are half unsold: https://cso.org/performances/22-23/cso-classical/thielemann-conducts-bruckner-8/

  • Ludwig's Van says:

    Let’s wish him well. Personally I didn’t find Mr. Lu to be the caliber of previous Leeds winners – but he’s been given a chance to prove himself.

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