Martha plays the second Beethoven
Why BeethovenThese days, she confines herself to the first piano concerto.
But then the second was written first (see Why Beethoven).
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Not just these days. She could never master them all. She is best at playing the Ravel for the 10001st time and voting for improbable candidates at competitions. Charming lady, nothing personal.
“Nothing personal,” you say. So why take a swipe at her?
Because it is strange that a pianist of her fame and clout cannot play the very base of the repertoire. Most of the candidates whom she judges can. Otherwise, I like her.
Of course she could master them all ! ! ! However, it was her choice not to perform the 4th.
She certainly still plays both the first written and the first numbered!
The second is a relatively weak work. The first is much better. Good call.
…? I have yet to find the «weak » spots in the wonderful C maj and B flat maj Concertos…
The word “early” is a better description than “weak”.
I saw her give a live performance of the 2nd with Dutoit and Philly some years back that made me love the piece more than I would have thought possible.
Carnegie, 2007? I was very lucky to get rush tickets to that.
I saw it in Philly. It was probably my all-time favorite from among the many concerts I’ve seen Dutoit conduct with the P.O. And it was the first program he conducted with them after being named their Principal Conductor.
She played the 1st in Toulouse recently. At that age, to play anything successfully in public is one hell of an achievement.
And, boy, did she play it !
Music becomes her
Astonishing and so inspirational.
The programme for my Saturday Symphoniker concert at Konzerthaus lists: “Ludwig van Beethoven: Konzert für Klavier und Orchester Nr. 2 B-Dur op. 19 (1794–1795)”. Lahav Shani conducts.
It is to be recorded and broadcast by Ö1 on 08 May at 19:30 CET, and then will be archived for a few weeks. Here is the link:
https://oe1.orf.at/programm/20250508/794344/Martha-Argerich-in-Wien