Maurizio Pollini’s talent was recognized early. At eleven, he first appeared in concert, as a teenager he already played the complete Chopin etudes. That’s many years ago. Countless, celebrated concert performances are behind him along with awards and recordings. On January 5th the Italian pianist celebrated his 75th birthday. Piano Street congratulates one of the great pianists of our time and shares a lovely filmed portrait on his life.
Maurizio Pollini – By The Master’s Hand
Two milestones in the history of recorded piano music:
NEW! Click the album covers to listen to the complete albums:
(This is a new feature available for Gold members of pianostreet.com)
(This is a new feature available for Gold members of pianostreet.com)
Read more:
Interview at steinway.com
Artist page on Deutche Grammophon
Reader question
Which is your favourite recording or the most memorable performance you have attended with Pollini?
Please post your comment below.
/nilsjohan
January 17th, 2017 at 21:50
Brahms 2nd Piano Concerto in 1977 with the LSO and Claudio Abbado. The performance was extraordinary. I found the recording they made of it at the time much less intense. Bravo indeed!
January 18th, 2017 at 17:37
I too heard Pollini at the RFH with the LSO under Abbado.
Abbado conducted from memory – Webern Passacaglia, Brahms 2nd Pno Concerto and Strauss Tod und Verklärung. I was on the edge of my seat throughout. A most memorable concert. Pollini was superb but not just as a showman, it was the tremendous impact of the whole. I will never forget it.
January 19th, 2017 at 10:25
Wow, that 1977 live concert must have been unbelievable, as I consider the recording that they made of the Brahms 2nd Piano Concerto to be the best ever put on disc.
January 23rd, 2017 at 17:15
Thank you for an absolutely wonderful and informative gift in this video of Pollini. I have learned from him and about him just now, a rare and amazing experience.
January 3rd, 2018 at 7:47
Excellent performances of Brahms’ masterpieces for piano & orchestra. Italian pianist Mauricio Pollini join the Vienna Philharmonic under two different conductors, Maestros Karl Boehm & Claudio Abbado, in very electrifying performances of Brahms’ two piano concertos.My favourite recording is Brahms 2nd Piano Concerto in 1977 with Claudio Abbado.