2004 Martha Argerich's interview - hilarious statement about Brahms' performers

[quasimodo]

I just found this Martha Argerich interview (a translation), I don't know if it has been posted before:

https://www.andrys.com/argerich/ar-monde04.html

Here's what she says about Brahms' music:

When I play this composer, I like him, but it’s not the kind of music I feel naturally inclined towards.  I studied his second concerto with Gulda, but I never performed it.  Maybe it’s a matter of libido.  Several young women feel attracted to this music: Irena Russo, Helene Grimaud, Karin Lechner.  They often love mature men.  I have never been in love with an older man!

[johnnyb76]

Lol that's great. She's an awesome person, apart from being an awesome musician.

[quasimodo]

Makes me think... incidentally, Brahms was allegedly in love with a mature woman, in the person of Clara Schumann... maybe that's the explanation...

[rob47]

Cool article

it seems martha has slept with knows every big name in the classical music world!

what an exciting life she has had and I'd imagine continues to have!

[cmg]

Lol that's great. She's an awesome person, apart from being an awesome musician.

Wrong.  She's an awesome musician but NOT an awesome person.  For years, observers and critics have commented on her utter inability to master the "art of living."  In fact, her totally chaotic and fragmented life seemed to indicate that she would never achieve the promise of her genius.  But, amazingly, she did.  Musicians who know her well, know she suffers from a narcissistic personality disorder.  She's a mess as a person. 

What redeems her is her transcendental talent.  I know that's hard to accept in one you admire, but consider the case of Wagner.  A total, self-centered ego-maniac.  But one of the greatest musicians in history.

Argerich is a woman over 60 who's still infatuated with youth.  Superficially, that sounds "youthful," but actually it reveals her barely disguised fear of aging and dying.  And to have those fears when you're 60 or over, is gross immaturity.  Furthermore, it makes her a "chicken hawk."  That's just tacky in a man or a woman.

[Bob]

What's a chicken hawk?  An older person who's afraid of dying?

[thalberg]

I love the part where Argerich says she's horrified when people say she plays like a man. 

[cmg]

What's a chicken hawk?  An older person who's afraid of dying?

No.  A "chicken hawk" is an older person who preys on younger people -- sexually.

[tompilk]

ah. i thought that, cmg. just the impression i got from this documentary with all those young male violinists etc. hanging around her all the time. I've always felt a little uncomfortable with her personality/attitudes from what I've heard/seen.

[allthumbs]

No.  A "chicken hawk" is an older person who preys on younger people -- sexually.

In North America, we call women like that 'Cougars'. 

allthumbs

[birba]

Sexual inclinations aside, she is undoubtedly one of the most talented pianists and musicians alive.  I heard the second Brahms sonata at Carnegie hall years ago and it was breathtaking.  She really channeled her stagefright into intense piano playing.  She looked like a hippy with her long hair and a a flowered dress and black top sauntering onto the stage as if she had been invited to tea.  You would never have guessed she was dying a thousand deaths.  A conductor I met said when she had just won the chopin and she was playing the second concerto in Paris, he actually had to slap her in the face to get her to go on!!!
Loved that article.  Thanks!

[lostinidlewonder]

.....he actually had to slap her in the face to get her to go on!!!

I hope that was to go onto stage.

[birba]

Wow.  Hadn't thought of that...

[argerichfan]

Hello, new here, though I've been active on other piano forums.

What redeems her is her transcendental talent.  I know that's hard to accept in one you admire, but consider the case of Wagner.  A total, self-centered ego-maniac.  But one of the greatest musicians in history.

This tallies pretty much with what I've heard about Argerich, though I've certainly encountered some odd tales regarding other famous pianists!

Having read a number of bios of Wagner, he doesn't strike me as a chap I'd care to meet.  But I could say the same about a number of other composers.

[icilkovich]

some artists have strange behavior. maybe that makes them stand out from others.