Martha Argerich plays Tel Aviv in jeans
NewsFrom our special correspondent, Dan Yakir:
Yesterday at 11:00pm Martha Argerich (young at 81) stepped on the stage of the Charles Bronfman Auditorium in Tel Aviv to perform Prokofiev Piano Concerto no. 3 with the Israel Philharmonic and their music director Lahav Shani. They were both dressed in jeans as it was the season opening concert of the Jeans subscription series on Thursday nights aimed mainly at the younger generation. Each concert is preceded by a free beer and a jazz performance at the lobby of the hall.
And today at 11am she was back for the same program but this time with a skirt. It was the season opening concert of the Intermezzo subscription series on Friday mornings aimed mainly at the older generation. Each concert is preceded by free coffee and cake and a preconcert talk.
Both concerts were sold out and the audience demanded an encore after dazzling performances. Martha and Lahav played an arrangement for four hands by György Kurtág of Gottes Zeit die allerbeste Zeit from cantata BWV 106 (Actus Tragicus) by Bach.
The first half of the concerts included the Magnificat by Bach. It marked both the debut of the mezzo Bernarda Fink with the IPO as well as her farewell concerts in 1967.
Straight from the garden?
Yes- I heard the same program in Haifa on Wendesday night (Prokofiev “Classical” symphony was also played)- Martha was in phenomenal shape- unbelievable for her age: Shani and the IPO were in superb form in both Prokofiev works: Bernarda FInk debute (and farewell) concerts- was of course a strange event- sad that we in Israel got to hear her so late in her career: The Magnificat was a rather “heavy” affair with too big choirs- the IPO nearly never invites HIP generation conductors – and it should….
We should have concerts here in the uk for the senior citizens
At 11am and free coffee and cakes
Like in tel aviv.
Here in Cardiff we had the much missed Sunday morning coffee concerts of soloists, chamber groups etc. followed by free tea, coffee or sherry. These were subsidised by the Welsh Arts Council who withdrew funding so the series collapsed. This was a great pity as the concerts were open to all and were very popular and attracted some younger people.
More concerts for 16-24 year-olds only, with an interval where wine and snacks are served. The Concertgebou in Amsterdam has been doing this for concerts for years.
I first heard Bernarda Fink about 8 years ago in Mahler 2 in Prague. It was a “Who is THAT?” experience. Heard her again in Das Lied.
I learned she was the daughter of Slovenian refugees who went to Argentina after the war. My parents went to the U.S., but I feel a certain kinship from our similar roots.
I loved her concerts in Lisboa where she sang regularly with Michel Corboz.
“…the Jeans subscription series on Thursday nights aimed mainly at the younger generation.”
Sure it sounds hip now but in 15 or 20 years when they’re too fat to fit into their jeans your’re going to have to lure them in in their sweatpants.
It’s a pity that NL hasn’t mentioned jeans and skirt designer and price, as it is usually done nowadays in fashion blogs.
“They’re playing in jeans? That’s cool! I’ll go!”
… said nobody ever.
If we think that young people do not listen to music played by folk wearing tuxedos, that is SO patronising. I would listen to Argerich play any music any place any time even if she was wearing a swimming costume!
God forbid! Ha, ha!
I’m young myself and an aspiring classical musician and agree. Young people don’t avoid classical music because they’re (we’re) stupid and can’t appreciate art; it’s because so many of us are told that. The perceived snobbery associated with the genre is what scares people off, and in reality many people of all ages who thought they didn’t like classical music actually love it, but they’re just daunted by it.
I’d be happy as a performer if listeners came in wearing pajamas, as long as they came because they wanted to enjoy art like everyone else. 🙂
Levi’s?
Gardening clothes!
Come tomorrow Sunday 23 Oct to Ruddock Hall in the Performing Arts Centre in Birmingham for the Concert for Ukraine where Margaret Fingerhut plays.
No matter the way she dresses. She is the greatest musician of our time.
Agree but her jeans do her no favours.
You are correct they are not exactly
Designer jeans.
Bernarda Fink did perform in Israel ! And at her prime.. it was with the Israel Camerata Jerusalem orchestra in 1999 singing beautifuly Dvorak biblical song op.99
Very sad to have to resort to wearing jeans to try and interest younger people. Too much pop music these days. There should be all kinds of music played in homes including classical so they grow up with and love all music.
Next concert will be in swimming costume.