Maurizio Pollini. 1942 - 2024

[richardfinegold]

Nothing to add to all the tributes above - a constant in my pantheon of musical heroes for more than 50 years so will be much missed. Last saw him at the RFH in the LvB late sonatas. I have a memory of reading not that long ago an interview with him (possibly in Diapason) where the interviewer extracted the confession from him that he had finally been persuaded to give up smoking (on health grounds) but that he missed it. RIP

Same here. I was so saddened to hear. As I related in the other thread my pandemic related cancellation of tickets to see him was a major disappointment

[smittims]

I never saw Pollini live but I've enjoyed his recordings since the famous EMI Chopin first concerto. I think his most distinctive work was in 20th-century music, such as Luigi Nono, of whose music he was an invaluable interpreter.

[gurnemanz]

Very sad to hear.
We had a short stay in New York in 2010, our only visit to USA, and wanted to experience a concert in Carnegie Hall. On the only night we could go, Pollini was playing a solo recital. Totally sold out, but we queued for returns and actually got in - two singles in different parts of the auditorium. So we got to see the Hall and a great pianist at work.

The first recording I acquired was that famous 1960 Kletzki/Philharmonia Chopin 1.

[frankbridge]

very sad to see the news. I did see Pollini a few times in concert, at the RAH with Rattle and the CBSO in Mozart, and in Leipzig with Chailly in Beethoven's fourth piano concerto.

RIP

[Retune]

I was lucky to see Pollini play three times at the RFH: two were Chopin and Debussy programmes, finishing with the first book of Debussy Préludes in 2014, and returning for the second book in 2017. Most memorable of all was his Beethoven recital with the Tempest, Waldstein and Hammerklavier sonatas in a single evening. He recently re-recorded the Hammerklavier, a very fine performance, paired with Op. 101:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l_PoUSqDSLY

I didn't see his final appearance in London, where he lost his way and found it again, but it's hard to read this account with dry eyes today:

https://christopheraxworthymusiccommentary.com/2023/06/26/london-salutes-a-legend-maurizio-pollini-the-story-of-a-miracle-by-antonio-morabito/

[silvestrione]

I was lucky to see Pollini play three times at the RFH: two were Chopin and Debussy programmes, finishing with the first book of Debussy Préludes in 2014, and returning for the second book in 2017. Most memorable of all was his Beethoven recital with the Tempest, Waldstein and Hammerklavier sonatas in a single evening. He recently re-recorded the Hammerklavier, a very fine performance, paired with Op. 101:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l_PoUSqDSLY

I didn't see his final appearance in London, where he lost his way and found it again, but it's hard to read this account with dry eyes today:
https://christopheraxworthymusiccomm...onio-morabito/

Thank you for that link! An extraordinary account of a moving, troubled occasion.

[Roslynmuse]

Despite having been ambivalent on the other thread about his recordings, I found myself deeply saddened by the news of Pollini's death. He has always been there as a great pianistic presence, throughout my life. Thanks to the posts over the past couple of weeks I have been listening again to his Chopin recordings, so he has been more in my mind recently than for quite a while. I listened again to the slow movement of the Chopin 1st Concerto - really quite remarkable playing, and miraculous for an 18 year old.

[Pulcinella]

Times obituary here:

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/11d8c1ea-4727-41d7-99a5-08b96df74d92?shareToken=a2efc2a7178bce0a8ae8a88519d18fa3

Warning: Tom Service is mentioned therein!

[Dave2002]

Sad news. IIRC I like his recording of Brahms' piano quintet - I think with the Italians.

Maurizio RIP

[cloughie]

Despite having been ambivalent on the other thread about his recordings, I found myself deeply saddened by the news of Pollini's death. He has always been there as a great pianistic presence, throughout my life. Thanks to the posts over the past couple of weeks I have been listening again to his Chopin recordings, so he has been more in my mind recently than for quite a while. I listened again to the slow movement of the Chopin 1st Concerto - really quite remarkable playing, and miraculous for an 18 year old.

Pollini’s Chopin PC1 was superb, a bar setter for his recorded legacy made at a very young age. Much to admire in what he played - I like his Mozart PC19/23 with VPO/Bohm.
RIP Maurizio

[french frank]

Times obituary here:

Thank you, Pulcie. A good in depth obit by Morrison which helped me understand why I took to Pollini's performances (and, incidentally, why I don't like others).

[Jazzrook]

Pollini plays Nono:

https://www.YouTube.com/watch?v=BWw4OiHAK1M

JR

[smittims]

Thansk for posting that.I remember eagerly getting the LP when it came out with its brilliant scarlet cover . The Gramophone didn't like it. 'A waste of Pollini' they said. I still think it's one of Nono's best pieces. Of course I listen to it purely as a piece of msuic. I don't follow any of the political connotations.

[Barbirollians]

On Twitter Vikungur Olafsson suggested getting hold of his DG record of the Chopin Sonatas and listening straight through. I was able to get a very cheap secondhand copy and have done so . I find as with his recordings of the Scherzi I admired the pianism but found the performances rather cool - more the Second Sonata than the Third. In particular, the lovely melody that follows the funeral march felt like sunshine on a cold day lacking warmth but maybe after a funeral march that was what he intended !

I think it was Olafsson who also mentioned that his father loved Pollini's recordings and his mother couldn't abide them.

I enjoyed the 1970s Brahms with Bohm and Abbado - not on the level of say enjoying Gilels, Curzon or Solomon but somehow actually their rather cooler temperature was musically very engaging I found myself listening closely rather than just being swept up by them .

[Barbirollians]

Sad news, he was of the greats. One of my earliest concerts was seeing him (in an unpretentious lounge suite, so rare back then) play late Beethoven at the RFH, then numerous performances with Abbado. His Brahms PC2 recording with Abbado is my go to choice, the second movement is granitic. His Petrushka and Brahms Quintet discs are particular favourites. RIP.

Which one ? There are two one from the late 1970s early 1980s and one from the 1990s I think.