I'm crazily deeply madly in love with Valentina Lisitsa

[outin]

Just messing around...

[pbryld]

Some might indeed, but not, I suspect, Stevenson or Hamelin, the two pianists from my list who are NOT dead!

Um, Argerich isn't dead, nor is Pollini.

[ahinton]

Um, Argerich isn't dead, nor is Pollini.

No, of course not - THANK GOD! More haste, less speed (note to self!)...

Best,

Alistair

[j_menz]

Rachmaninoff (OK now, j_menz?!)

 

I'll sleep soundly, now.

[rachmaninoff_forever]

I still love her!!!

[transparently]

Valentina Lisitsa is coming to my city next year to play Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No. 2! I'm seriously considering bringing flowers for her. Can anyone advise me on the proper protocol for giving flowers to a soloist?

[pytheamateur]

Valentina Lisitsa is coming to my city next year to play Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No. 2! I'm seriously considering bringing flowers for her. Can anyone advise me on the proper protocol for giving flowers to a soloist?

In view of her rock-star-like status, and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine I wonder if she now employs bodyguards that will prevent any strangers approach her.  Yes, you may still see people give her flowers, but that's probably just a show that's pre-arranged with her manager.

[transparently]

In view of her rock-star-like status, and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine I wonder if she now employs bodyguards that will prevent any strangers approach her.  Yes, you may still see people give her flowers, but that's probably just a show that's pre-arranged with her manager.

I was thinking that maybe I would give her the flowers during the applause as she's taking a bow. Maybe I could approach the platform and hold out the flowers to her?

[rmbarbosa]

"Helas"! I do not think Lisitsa is a great performer... I dont like her style... Only a lot of technik but without "soul"... She seems like a cowboy in front of the piano (in her case... a cowgirl
Music is not malabarism...
she seems to have a lack of deep musical sensibility.
But this is only my opinion, of course.

[thalbergmad]

But this is only my opinion, of course.

You are not alone my friend.

Thal

[bronnestam]

I was thinking that maybe I would give her the flowers during the applause as she's taking a bow. Maybe I could approach the platform and hold out the flowers to her?

In Sweden we hand in the flowers at the ticket office before the concert. The flowers are of course properly marked with a greeting card, and you can also say "this is for the soloist" (becasue sometimes they don't accept private flower gifts to peopel in the orchestra!) Then the artist gets the flowers at curtain call.
That's how we do it.

[ahinton]

You are not alone my friend.

Neither of you are! She's more than merely competent, for sure, but I've yet to feel really drawn to any of her performances that I've heard.

Best,

Alistair

[emill]

" x.x.x.x.x... Music is not malabarism... she seems to have a lack of deep musical sensibility.
But this is only my opinion, of course.  

You are not alone my friend.

Thal

Neither of you are! She's more than merely competent, for sure, but I've yet to feel really drawn to any of her performances that I've heard.

Best,

Alistair  

It must be the spirit of CHRISTMAS ! !  This is the day I have been waiting for ! ! !    
THAL and AHINTON sharing a common viewpoint !    W O W  ! ! !  
Will this last until the New Year??? 

[ahinton]

It must be the spirit of CHRISTMAS ! !  This is the day I have been waiting for ! ! !    
THAL and AHINTON sharing a common viewpoint !    W O W  ! ! !  
Will this last until the New Year??? 

This is by no means as unusual as you appear to think.

Best,

Alistair

[thalbergmad]

Indeed, we have previously agreed about the merits of Bowen's PC No.4.

Thal

[emill]

Indeed, we have previously agreed about the merits of Bowen's PC No.4.

Thal   

really?!? 

Merry Christmas Thal-Alistair

[thalbergmad]

Yes, about 5 years ago

[bonesquirrel]

I always loved the original, but thought that Liszt's version of the piece was very ugly.

I'm sorry, but what? What do you mean Liszt's version of the piece, the only version is Liszt's version, he wrote the piece and would have played it brilliantly. I think you mean that all the pianists you have listened to play it didn't play it as well as Valentina. Not Valentina played it better than Liszt himself.

[j_menz]

I'm sorry, but what? What do you mean Liszt's version of the piece, the only version is Liszt's version, he wrote the piece and would have played it brilliantly.

Methinks Paganini may quibble there. 

[minor9th]

I think she has excellent technique, but I don't often hear much interpretive depth--she seems content with surface brilliance. Still, I prefer her to Lang Lang! 

[rachmaninoff_forever]

Valentina Lisitsa is coming to my city next year to play Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No. 2! I'm seriously considering bringing flowers for her. Can anyone advise me on the proper protocol for giving flowers to a soloist?

ONLY IM ALOWWED TO GIVE HER Flowers!!!

If you do you're dead!!!

[j_menz]

ONLY IM ALOWWED

That there College edumacation is surely paying off. 

[ahinton]

ONLY IM ALOWWED TO GIVE HER Flowers!!!

If you do you're dead!!!

That would therefore save me from a terminal fate, then, as I wouldn't give her so much as the time of day, at least on the often somewhat dubious strength of her playing (however nice a person she might be)...

I'd only consider bringing flowers to a Lisitsa performance if Argerich was to be in the audience because then I'd have someone to whom to give them...

Best,

Alistair

[thalbergmad]

You old romantic

[ahinton]

You old romantic

Nothing wrong with that, old chap!

Best,

Alistair

[thalbergmad]

Indeed not. Chivalry survives in this Country thanks to us.

I was only practicing the noble art on a 6ft tall Brazilian the other day.

Thal