Piano Festival «Le piano symphonique» – Martha Argerich & Friends

It is a true sensation to hear Martha Argerich performing entirely alone in Tchaikovsky’s «The Seasons» . It is also a very rare occurrence, much to the chagrin of her countless admirers. Martha Argerich performing as a Lieder accompanist is even more rare. However, she is assuming this role for Thomas Hampson, one of the most distinguished baritones of our time, and one who has always been particularly committed to Schumann’s Lieder. These artists form a dream constellation together, a meeting of two like minds in the spirit of Schumann. Martha Argerich has enjoyed a close artistic rapport to the cellist Mischa Maisky for more than four decades, as demonstrated by numerous benchmark chamber music recordings, including Chopin’s Cello Sonata. This masterpiece from Chopin’s late years is sadly seldom heard in concert halls today – perhaps because it largely avoids crowd-pleasing virtuosity and lives entirely from intimate passion. Chopin loved this sonata so much that he included it in the programme of his very last concert in Paris.