Tears and fears as Martha turns 75
mainIt’s not all smiles and candles as the pianist of our epoch reaches a life milestone today.
Martha Argerich has been told that her Lugano Festival must close after a scandal-ridden bank withdrew its sponsorship. This month’s festival is her last.
But there will be more joys ahead.
If anyone can keep Lugano going, it is the Power of Martha! To quote Beyoncé, she is a survivor! Check out the beautiful happy birthday message that Deutsche Grammophon has put together: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hDyl8Qqy4j8.
It is a milestone indeed, despite financial setbacks causing the festival to close. On the whole, Ms. Rage rich has sustained a respected presence of artists of the past, present and future. Her tremendous pianistic gifts places her among the pantheon of brilliant pianists. Her daring and elan is an inspiration to many pianists, and I for one, will be excited to hear her interpretations into the next decades.
Absolutely phenomenal birthday concert in Berlin today.
Exemplary Beethoven concerti, ravishing Mozart 2 piano KV448 with Barenboim, and Scarlatti K.141 to die for!
She still has this festival:
http://www.argerich-mf.jp/en/
Is that not one and the same devastatingly handsome Kovacevich in that early picture with Martha? He’s the one who interests me!!! (Be still my beating heart.)
That looks more like Claudio Abbado to me.
You could be right; it’s his coloring, but I’m still not sure.
Yes, you’ve got it!! I can see the baton!! Good call.
It was actually quite obvious, there is even a recent CD set with this as a cover… https://www.amazon.ca/Complete-Concerto-Recordings-5CD-Set/dp/B00PV6DHCG/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1465230364&sr=8-2&keywords=Abbado+Argerich
Here, Sue: http://tinyurl.com/h8mqwh9 Enjoy 🙂
By the way, a delightful interview with Argerich and Kovacevich, from Gramophone a few years ago: http://tinyurl.com/j6v6tdr
Happy birthday!! Argerich played Gaspard in Japan last month.
Of course solo!! Her $500 tickets sold out in minutes with no advertising. Right after her recital, who wants buy $50 Yuja or $100 langlang ticket? (Not me.