[ Trying to seize upon a normality to life, with another post expressing appreciation for the beauty in music, and those exponents of such wonderment, as the depravity and ugliness of evil continues to surround us more and more. ]

“Talent does what it can; genius does what it must.”

- Edward Bulwer-Lytton

She is considered by many as the greatest living pianist today, and across many generations; a phenomenon of the keyboard; a “lioness” of the piano; “The Pianists’ Pianist” (a concept my pianist mom concurred with.); etc. Although Martha never did, and still does not, consider herself a “genius”— while most of the world disagrees with her self-assessment.

Kind of eccentric, but not obnoxious. Down-to-earth, and a free spirit.

It isn’t just the tremendous virtuosity; it’s also her heart and imagination. She imbues every piece she plays with a visceral energy, making it come alive in brilliant tone colours, changing dynamics, with a touch that ranges from delicate to pounding; with thrilling, astonishingly speedy passages; a driving momentum; or a moving Adagio; all completely mesmerizing from start to finish.

Beyond that, there’s Martha Argerich, the person.

Perhaps you’ll get an idea of her talent, her character, her career, and her life from this small selection of videos, and a scant few links.

To get some measure of the person, if nothing else, please listen to the final video posted below (the interview from 2019 *** ).

The rest—well, hope you check them out, too!

She’s been known to cancel concerts at the last minute. We count ourselves extremely lucky to have caught her at Carnegie Hall twice, two decades ago. This was some years after she underwent major lung surgery for a particularly serious form of cancer that had spread to her lung and lymph nodes.

Even got to meet her “backstage” on West 56th after one concert. Martha took her time chatting amiably with her fans huddled on the dimly-lit sidewalk, even signed a couple of my CDs. After repeated pleading from her security (?) guy, Martha finally relented and took her leave. She headed towards Seventh Avenue to grab some dinner, strolling arm-in-arm with her pal, cellist Mischa Maisky.

An unassuming, tiny woman with surprisingly large hands. Has thankfully been very busy, also happy, and faring very well after resuming her musical career over 20 years ago.

HERE’S a casual take from the 1960s: (she used to smoke—but I think she stopped when she was struck by cancer in the 1990s.)

Martha Argerich warms up with Beethoven Sonata and plays Chopin Mazurka (1969)

From video description: “Recorded in 1969, in Basel. I have just added the English subtitles, don't forget to turn them on. In this rare footage Argerich warms up, plays a few bars of Beethoven's Sonata Op. 101 and performs the Chopin Mazurka in C major, Op. 24 No. 2.”

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Per the notes in one of her CDs, a roommate from her younger days recalls waking up in the morning to Martha playing a percussive Prokofiev work as a “warm-up” exercise (just one of the most technically challenging composers).

She has also said that she finds Mozart difficult to play well.

HERE’S a formal performance of the 3rd Prokofiev Piano Cto:

CLICK → Martha Argerich with Andre Previn and London Symphony Orchestra: Prokofiev No. 3 (1977)

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A comment about Martha I recently came across: “If she goes any faster, she’ll get a speeding ticket!”

Martha Argerich: Octaves

[CLICK→ For an interesting article about playing octaves ]

0:40 - Tchaikovsky - Piano concerto in B-flat minor
1:49 - Liszt - Piano concerto in E flat major
2:02 - Prokofiev - Piano Concerto n° 3, in C major
2:20 - Strauss - Burleske
2:44 - Liszt - Funérailles
3:20 - Liszt - Hungarian Rhapsody n°6, in D-flat major
4:17 - Prokofiev - Piano Concerto n° 3, in C major

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Interesting footage on “how the musical sausage is made”:

Martha rehearsing Ravel Piano Concerto with (former husband) Charles Dutoit (2009)

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The Second Movement (Adagio assai) of this Ravel Piano Concerto is one of the most moving and elegant in the musical canon.

Martha Argerich: Piano Concerto in G-Major by Maurice Ravel (Live, 1986) :

(Video set up to start with the Allegro Assai (Second Movement)
NDR Radiophilharmonie, conductor Aldo Ceccato

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Martha as a little girl of 8, playing the Beethoven Piano Concerto (1949):

(long orchestral intro; Martha’s piano enters at around 6:30)

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Brahms - Rhapsody in G Minor

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The piece that turned me into an instant fan, sight unseen:

Was ignorant of her then; just happened to sample this piece on a CD being promoted at the time. Listened on the store headphones [remember those?] at a Tower Records [remember those fantastic musical paradises? —they had the best inventory of every musical genre and were open 365 days a year] in suburban Maryland, many moons ago.

Bach - Toccata in C Minor, BWV 911

“Interview” at the Verbier Festival in Switzerland: (“Twenty Questions”?)

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FINALLY:

*** An Extended Recent Interview (2019): a most fascinating peek into the life and place where Martha’s thoughts reside.

As the interviewer says, she’s both “translucent and elusive”… see what you think!

(I’ll wager this isn’t much like any other such conversation you’ve ever heard before!)

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Meet Pianist MARTHA ARGERICH.