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Last evening my wife and I had the great pleasure to see one of giants of the concert platform, Maurizio Pollini, in the Hamburg Laeiszhalle.

His programme...

Chopin:
Prelude in C# minor Op 45
Ballade Nr 2 in F major Op 38
Mazurkas Op 33 /1-4
Scherzo Nr 3 in C# minor Op 39
Polonaise in Ab major Op 53 (Heroic)

after the interval:

Debussy's 12 Etudes

Suffice it to say that we were completely enthralled by Pollini's wonderful artistry. The 12 Dubussy Etudes were new to us but we enjoyed this fascinating series immensely. I have never heard Chopin played with such sensitivity, virtuosity and technical mastery... a real joy which exceeded our already high expectations.

Such was Pollini's performance that the audience would not let him leave until he had played four encores, all Chopin, including an unbelievable rendition of the 'Revolutionary' study. At the end this magnificent, unassuming pianist, who has graced the world's greatest concert platforms for many years, looked a little tired and slightly stooped but nonetheless evidently delighted by his warm reception in Germany.

Please, dear friends, don't miss any opportunity to attend a Pollini concert!

Michael

Thank you for sharing this. I 've just learned about Pollini from PW (a thread about the great living pianists) and borrowed a CD of him playing Beethoven Sonatas. I hope to borrow one of him playing Chopin next. I hope he'll visit the U.S. in the next few years.

What piano did he use there in Hamburg?

Hi guest1013... he played a Steinway Concert Grand model D and really made it sing!

I have everything he ever recorded. Come by and see the stack...bring a six-pack...

Thanks for the great review and wish I could have been there!

Sophia

Thanks Celt, I guess it the Steinway was made there in Hamburg? Should have realized it.

i wish that i could have such a chance to hear Pollini live. i always like his playing. i wonder he would ever play somewhere near here...

Hi signa... I can't find a website for Maurizio Pollini as such but his concert appearances in the near future are listed here on the Deutsche Grammophon site. Enter 'Pollini' in the 'quick search' box and then click 'on tour'. He's in Europe until January 08; beyond that, I don't know. I'm sure he'll be in the States again before too long though.

thanks, Celt! have to wait much longer to see him i guess.

i noticed his new Beethoven op.2 sonata cd shown there. i never heard him playing early Beethoven, and that makes me curious...