Maurizio Baglini (pupil of Pollini & Berman)

[Pianomaster]

Hi everyone, my name is David.  I am new on this board.  I was wondering if any of you have heard of pianist Maurizio Baglini?

I have heard a fabulous recital by pianist Maurizio Baglini (Gold Medalist of the 1999 Monte Carlo International Piano Masters Competition) given in Dallas, TX last week and I was very moved.   I will also hear his fabulous recital program in Tacoma, WA as part of the prestigious Tacoma Philharmonic series.  He will perform an interesting and demanding program:
Beethoven - 32 variations in c minor
Beethoven - 'Appasionata' Sonata
Schubert/Liszt - Ave Maria
Schubert/Liszt - Auf dem wasser zu singen
Liszt - Dante Sonata
Ravel - La Valse

In Dallas, he thrilled the audiences very much.  Girls were chasing after him.  (After all, he does look good in speedos since he was an Italian National Swimming Champion).  He even has a fan club.

I really think he's the next pianist to watch.  He is being managed by Edward Song, one of the most powerful manager's in the USA.  Check out Maurizio at https://www.virtuosoartists.com
(click on Artist Roster and click on Maurizio Baglini -- you will see bio, sample recital programs, concerto rep, etc).

[Pianomaster]

Here is the review of Baglini's performance.  It was amazing......

===================================
Five Standing Ovations for Italian Piano Sensation Maurizio Baglini
By: Walter Gray

Special to the Tacoma News Tribune
October 29, 2003

There is an old saying, “A new star has been born.”  This was the case after pianist Maurizio Baglini’s sensational debut in the inaugural concert of Tacoma Philharmonic’s Virtuoso Artist Discovery Series on Tuesday evening.  It was an evening full of colors, emotion, creativity, electrifying technique and five standing ovations.  

“When I first heard Maurizio Baglini at the Monte Carlo International Piano Competition in 1999, I felt that he was one of the most special talents of this century.  A Baglini comes along once every 100 years. He has a huge worldwide fan club.  This is a pianist to definitely watch and I’m proud to give him the opportunity to open this new series,” says Edward Song, the Chairman of Artistic Planning for Tacoma Philharmonic.

Pianist Maurizio Baglini studied with the legendary pianists Maurizio Pollini and Lazar Berman at the Imola Piano Academy in Italy.  The Imola Academy is known for producing some of the finest pianists of the next generation.  Baglini is a very unique artist with a special “Baglini Sound” and can be compared with the legendary pianists of the past and present such as Horowitz, Richter, Cortot, Gilels, Berman and Pollini.  His playing is a fusion of the passionate Russian piano school with the operatic bel canto singing of the Italian piano school.  He has the ability to hypnotize his audiences during the performance then ignite a tremendous response afterwards.

Baglini chose a very adventurous program for his recital debut.  He started off the evening with two very contrasting works of Beethoven.  For his performances of the 32 Variations in c minor and the Appasionata Sonata, Baglini brought ardor and poetry at every turn combined with the most stunning display of virtuosity.  His electrifying performance of the Appasionata Sonata brought the audience to their feet for the first thunderous standing ovation of the evening.

Next, Baglini chose two lieder transcriptions of Schubert’s Ave Maria and Auf dem Wasser zu Singen by Liszt.  Every aspiring musician must listen to Baglini’s Schubert.  In many ways, his close affinity with Schubert’s music reminds the listener of the great legend Artur Schnabel.  One can hear the “floating tone” and multiple layers of colors for which Baglini is famous and which he achieved through a combination of perfect legato line and supple wrist that could make a melody soar above an accompaniment like a human voice.  

The last two works of the recital were Liszt’s Dante Sonata and Ravel’s La Valse.  Baglini took huge risks and didn’t fail to disappoint.  He had a stunning display of virtuosic technique combined with illuminating colors and emotion to receive the second and third standing ovations of the evening.

Finally, Baglini chose the Chopin’s Revolutionary Etude and a Polonaise as his encores.  He drew in the audience with his stunning technical arsenal and originality.  The audience was living every note with him.  His flawless performance led to two more standing ovations of the evening.  

During the intermission, several members of the audience commented, “Baglini plays the piano like God!  We love Maurizio. Come back soon!” He had a very long line of excited fans to greet him after the concert.