tue 15/10/2024

Maurizio Pollini, Royal Festival Hall | reviews, news & interviews

Maurizio Pollini, Royal Festival Hall

Maurizio Pollini, Royal Festival Hall

The great Italian gives preludes and etudes old-school brilliance

A touch of class: Maurizio PolliniM Borther

Was it Chopin’s birthday or wasn’t it? To be honest, no one at last night’s Royal Festival Hall concert probably gave a damn, so wrapped up were they in Maurizio Pollini’s playing. And what playing it was too. The man just sits down and gets on with it – there’s none of that airy-fairy flamboyance and arm waving that certain younger pianists seem unable to perform without. This was an unapologetically old-school concert. Pollini shuffled on in his tails (who wears those any more?), plonked himself at the piano, and had finished the first of Chopin’s 24 Preludes before most of the audience had settled back for the ride.

Was it Chopin’s birthday or wasn’t it? To be honest, no one at last night’s Royal Festival Hall concert probably gave a damn, so wrapped up were they in Maurizio Pollini’s playing. And what playing it was too. The man just sits down and gets on with it – there’s none of that airy-fairy flamboyance and arm waving that certain younger pianists seem unable to perform without. This was an unapologetically old-school concert. Pollini shuffled on in his tails (who wears those any more?), plonked himself at the piano, and had finished the first of Chopin’s 24 Preludes before most of the audience had settled back for the ride.

Comments

Over the last 20 years I have seen Maurizio Pollini perform at concert venues all over the world. Without doubt, he is one of the greatest pianists and last night at the Royal Festival Hall, he enchanted the audience with his artistry and stupendous technique. Catherine Leuz

Does anyone know the three pieces played for the encores? The first one was the Etude 'Revolutionary', but I can not remember the rest.

The last one was Scherzo nr.3, I think.

That's right, MM, the final encore was the C sharp minor Scherzo. The previous encore was the C major Mazurka Op 33/3.

Wonderful Pollini ! A pity that from row FF backwards one doesn't hear music going with hands....The Hall is by far to big for such a concert !!

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