Maurizio Pollini proves that one doesn’t have to be perfect

By Edward Sava-Segal, 23 May 2017

Loading, please wait...

See full listing

“the melody seemed to dissolve in the enveloping harmonic cloud, full of ornamentation”

Reviewed at Carnegie Hall: Stern Auditorium, New York City on 21 May 2017

Chopin, 2 Nocturnes, Op.27

Chopin, Ballade no. 3 in A flat major, Op.47

Chopin, Ballade no. 4 in F minor, Op.52

Chopin, Berceuse in D flat major, Op.57

Chopin, Scherzo no. 1 in B minor, Op.20

Chopin, Ballade no. 1 in G minor, Op.23

Chopin, Piano Sonata no. 3 in B minor, Op.58

Maurizio Pollini, Piano

Half a Pollini is better than none at all

Alexander Hall, 1st March

Mystified by the headline? Then read on for a partial view of Maurizio Pollini's latest recital, celebrating his 80th birthday.

****1

A Grand Master returns: Maurizio Pollini at the Royal Festival Hall

Mark Pullinger, 12th March

Pollini's love for Chopin and Debussy was evident throughout an intimate recital as part of the Southbank Centre's in the International Piano Series.

****1

Intimacy and exuberance in Schumann and Chopin

Mark Thomas, 13th March

With plenty of sparkle and spritz, Pollini laces his performances of Schumann and Chopin with intimacy and introspection in a programme of contrasting emotions.

****1

Passion and commitment: Maurizio Pollini

Frances Wilson, 14th March

Maurizio Pollini demonstrated why people still flock to hear him perform in sonatas by Beethoven and miniatures by Schoenberg.

****1

Profound and sublime: Maurizio Pollini rolls back the years

Mark Pullinger, 2nd March

A packed Festival Hall heard Maurizio Pollini recapture his glory years in sublime Chopin.

****1

An Elegant and Spirited Evening of Brahms and Strauss with the Staatskapelle Berlin

Christie Franke, 5th May

Maurizio Pollini, Caudius Popp, and Felix Schwarz shine in an evening of Strauss and Brahms with Daniel Barenboim and the Staatskapelle Berlin.

****1

More reviews...

Edward Sava-Segal

Edward has been living in New York for the last 25 years, one of the reasons being the extraordinarily rich cultural life in this city. He has studied piano and classical music in his early years. He switched later on to computer science and data architecture but he kept an unwavering interest in following the classical music phenomenon here in New York and in his travels. Edward occasionally reviews fine arts events for the most prestigious literary magazine in Romania, his home country.

At Carnegie Hall, Maurizio Pollini proves that one doesn’t have to be perfect