Vladimir Ashkenazy retires

[Richard Tarleton]

I read on another forum that he has issues with severe arthritis...

I read or heard that several years ago...

I saw him several times in the RFH in the 1970s, usually playing Mozart concertos - and once the Scriabin. I think that was with Haitink, though I could be wrong, in 1972. He collaborated with Andre Previn a lot. After his concerto, before the interval, there would usually be a flurry near the front as a blonde fur-coated figure headed for the door at the side of the stage...Dodie, dashing back to congratulate him...

The last time I saw him was in Swansea's Brangwyn Hall about a dozen or more years ago, playing a Mozart concerto and conducting the Philharmonia. The poor man had a streaming cold and had to endure a civic dinner afterwards - I wasn't there, but know someone who was. As we left the hall (the Brangwyn Hall is part of the Guildhall complex) the route to the exit took us past the laid tables - place cards for Mr and Mrs Ashkenazy, at least they were seated next to eachother.

[Pianorak]

His recording of the complete Scriabin sonatas made me fall in love with them.

[Dave2002]

I saw him play Beethoven Emperor concert at the Proms many years ago. Superb. I don’t remember seeing him since, or as a conductor, though I really like his recordings of Sibelius symphonies.

[Ein Heldenleben]

I heard him play at Truro Cathedral of all places - actually a really good place come to think of it . A wonderfully free performance of Beethoven Op 110 and a very virtuosic Brahms Handel Variations. On the podium I saw him quite a few times with the Philharmonia . He did a lovely performance of the Strauss Metamorphosen at the QEH. At the most solemn and profound movement a Japanese tourist behind me took a flash photo. The wry smile and chuckle from VA was just the right response .

[BBMmk2]

I read on another forum that he has issues with severe arthritis...

Besides a minor stroke as well, poor man.

[gurnemanz]

We went to Anvil Basingtoke a couple of years ago, wanting to see him rather than choosing the programme specifically - Prince Igor Overture, Tchaikovsky 1st Piano Concerto (with Alice Sara Ott) and Rachmaninov 1st Symphony. It was the only time we have seen him and I am glad we made the effort. He and the Philharmonia and Ott were on great form in the fine Anvil acoustics and it turned out to be a memorable evening.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

Besides a minor stroke as well, poor man.

Are you sure about this, Bbm? I can't fond any reference to it online.

[Barbirollians]

Are you sire about this, Bbm? I can't fond any reference to it online.

Sorry to hear he is retiring and like others I hope it is not due to a major health issue.

His Sibelius symphony recordings were my introductions to the works and I am still very fond of them. The tape of the coupling of the Seventh and Tapiola wore out.

[silvestrione]

I rather wish he'd stayed a pianist. I heard him at a packed Wellington, NZ, town hall in the early 70s, playing Chopin's Nocturne in F major. He created a sense of rapt poetry in the first section, but if you don't know the piece, the middle section is fast and furious, and he attacked this so suddenly and powerfully that a young woman near the stage jumped out of her skin!

I remember a Beethoven recital at RFH at end of the 70s, also, especially the way he played the increasingly elaborate decorations at the start of the rondo theme in the finale of the Sonata no. 2 in A.

[BBMmk2]

Are you sure about this, Bbm? I can't fond any reference to it online.

Someone else on here said this.

[gradus]

All careers must end but I hope that VA's has ended as happily as possible given his health problems. He is an artist of the first rank and one with whose performances I feel an affinity. For me it started with his recording of Rachmaninov 3 with Previn/LSO and a fleeting moment at the top of a phrase in the slow movement. Odd how tiny things can have such a strong emotional impact.