Arturo Benedetti Michelangeli (1920 -1995) was an Italian classical pianist. He is considered among the most commanding and individualistic piano virtuosi of the 20th century, alongside names such as Vladimir Horowitz and Sviatoslav Richter.
Along with Ferruccio Busoni, he is often described as the most important Italian pianist ever.
He obtained his soloist’s diploma at the age of fourteen, and was immediately launched into his concert career. His extraordinary talent was recognized instantly and in 1939 he won first prize in the prestigious Geneva International Competition, under a jury headed by Ignaz Paderewski. His importance as a key figure among 20th-century pianists was confirmed when Cortot said:
“Here is a new Liszt”.
Michelangeli built a reputation as much on the frequency of his cancellation of concerts as on his piano performances.
He recorded for Deutsche Grammophon between 1971 and 1989, including four Mozart and three Beethoven concerti with the Vienna Symphony Orchestra under Carlo Maria Giulini. The Beethoven recordings are from live television broadcasts.
Michelangeli’s early recordings were made for HMV in Milan from 1939 to 1942. In addition to works by Grieg, Albéniz, Granados and Mompou, some excellent Scarlatti sonatas stand out, as does his rendition of the Beethoven Piano Sonata in C major Op. 2 No. 3 .
On this video, he plays the first movement from that same work, recorded in 1970.
/patrick
November 12th, 2008 at 2:01
This reminds me of a comment i just read by Tim Page from an article he wrote for the NY Times November 17, 1985 entitled ‘Beethoven’s Sonatas Remain A Pianistic Everest.’ Let me see if i can find the exact words he used… ‘Seriousness should never be equated with profundity; the bawdy humor, of say, Canterbury Tales is at least as meaningful as the musings of a gloomy existential philosopher. These performances, while technically assured and well recorded, can only be recommended to those who put their performances on a pedestal, and refuse to laugh with Shakespeare and Joyce.’ Now, this is the exact reason that I love Michelangeli. He puts a lot of passion and script into Beethoven. He’s not afraid to mold it to ‘fit’ more than just the philosophical side – which works somewhat with the last three -but terribly with the opus 90 or with this Sonata.
November 18th, 2008 at 17:20
Dear Sirs/Friends,
I am from southern India and new to this blog. Ours is famous for Carnatic Music. However I like classical music from West. Several years back, I happened to watch live Yanni’s Tribute to Taj Mahal programme. Then I saw Amadeus Mozart Film a few years ago. It was a great classical film. Though I don’t understand the nuances of the Music, I enjoy it very much.
Michelangeli’s Beethovan’s Sonata Opera 2 no.3 in this video is very delectable and fine.
I thank U all for this nice souvenir. Pl. keep sending the concerts. Thank U again. R.S. Rajamani