Classic Ross Amico

Tag: Pianist

Vladimir Ashkenazy at 85 A Musical Life

Vladimir Ashkenazy is 85 today. One of the great pianists, he was born in Gorky, now Nizhny Novgorod, Russia. He left the Soviet Union for London in 1963. From there, he and his wife, Dódý, moved to her native Iceland. The two met as students at the Moscow Conservatory. Ashkenazy has held Icelandic citizenship since 1972. In 1978, the couple relocated to Lucerne, Switzerland, where they remain.

In concert, Ashkenazy has been known to eschew neckties in favor of turtlenecks, and for running, as opposed to walking, on and off stage. Midway through his career, he decided to diversify and picked up the baton. He was principal conductor of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra from 1987 to 1994, chief conductor and music director of the Deutsches Symphonie-Orchestre Berlin from 1988 and 1996, and principal conductor of the Czech Philharmonic from 1998 to 2003. He is conductor laureate of the Philharmonia Orchestra and the Iceland Symphony Orchestra. He was music director of the European Union Youth Orchestra. Outside Europe, he served as music director of the NHK Symphony Orchestra from 2004 to 2007 and chief conductor of the Sydney Symphony Orchestra from 2009 to 2013.

From 1987 to 1994, he was principal guest conductor of the Cleveland Orchestra. The only time I ever saw him live was as a conductor, leading the Cleveland Orchestra at Philadelphia’s Academy of Music in works by Barber, Korngold, and Brahms. Perhaps a decade later, he was scheduled to conduct the Philadelphia Orchestra in Liszt’s rarely-heard, 30-minute symphonic poem “Ce qu’on entend sur la montagne,” but at the last minute, the program changed, so I didn’t go. I’m sorry to say, I never saw him as a pianist.

On January 17, 2020, he retired without warning, effective immediately. No explanation was given. As far as I know, he is still healthy and enjoying his retirement. Happy birthday, Vladimir Ashkenazy.

Mussorgsky, “Pictures at an Exhibition” in concert

Rachmaninoff, “Etudes Tableaux” in concert

Rachmaninoff, “Corelli Variations” in concert

Mozart with Barenboim

Live Prokofiev, Piano Concerto No. 2

Conducting Sibelius, “En Saga”

As soloist in Einojuhani Rautavaara’s Piano Concerto No. 3

1987 documentary, “Ashkenazy Observed”

July 6, 2022
Alexander Toradze Pianist Dies at 69

The Georgian pianist Alexander Toradze has died.

On April 23, Toradze suffered heart failure in Vancouver, Washington, in the middle of a performance of Shostakovich’s Piano Concerto No. 2. Incredibly, he finished the piece. Then he went to the hospital. It was only then that he learned what had happened.

Not long after, he posted a message from his bed, in which he was evidently in great spirits – even lauding his doctor, who was still in the room – and full of optimism for a speedy recovery.

Toradze was professor of piano at University of Indiana University South Bend from 1991 until his retirement from teaching in 2017. He made his home in the United States since 1983.

As a performer, he was a powerhouse especially in the Russian repertoire. Also on the Vancouver program was Stravinsky’s Concerto for Piano and Wind Instruments. In a comparison of 70 recordings, his performance of Prokofiev’s Piano Concerto No. 3 was selected by International Piano Quarterly as “historically the best on record.”

Toradze offered the following advice to aspiring pianists in an interview with classical radio host Bruce Duffie: “Don’t forget to pray to God before each performance, and don’t forget to give your soul enough air. Believe in the right purpose of art and believe in being human.”

http://www.bruceduffie.com/toradze.html

Toradze died on Tuesday. May 30 would have been his 70th birthday. Dasvidaniya, Lexo.

In conversation with Joseph Horowitz

The finale of Prokofiev’s Piano Sonata No. 7

The lyrical heart of Shostakovich’s Piano Concerto No. 2

May 12, 2022
Victor Borge Birthday Laughs & Classic Comedy

For some, it may be difficult to leave the holidays behind and face the prospect of a long, bleak winter. That would not be me.

But if it describes you, here are some classic Victor Borge sketches to brighten your day. The “Unmelancholy Dane” was born on this date in 1909.

Borge always proved to be quick on his feet, comfortable in his own skin, and unusually personable. Born into a family of Jewish musicians in Copenhagen (his birth name was Børge Rosenbaum), he was already before the public, giving recitals at the age of 8. He received a scholarship to the Royal Danish Academy of Music, and later studied with pupils of both Liszt (Frederic Lamond) and Busoni (Egon Petri).

After a few years of presenting straight classical concerts, he began to develop his act. His mix of music and comedy proved to be popular in Scandinavia, but some of his gibes didn’t exactly sit well with Hitler. When German forces occupied Denmark, Borge hopped a U.S. Army transport out of Finland – though he would return, not long after, disguised as a sailor, to visit his dying mother.

He arrived in the United States in 1940, with 20 dollars in his pocket and no understanding of English. But he was a fast learner, and he taught himself the language by going to American movies.

By 1941, he was already appearing with Rudy Valee and Bing Crosby, and adapting his jokes for U.S. audiences. In 1942, he was named “best new radio performer of the year.” By 1946, he had his own radio show and developed many of his signature routines.

He became a naturalized American citizen in 1948. His Broadway show, “Comedy in Music,” entered the Guinness Book for its unprecedented run, from 1953 to 1956. In the 1960s, he was the highest-paid entertainer in the world.

Borge continued to expand his popularity through appearances on television programs ranging from “What’s My Line?” to “The Muppet Show.” He continued to entertain to a ripe old age. He died in 2000, a few days shy of his 92nd birthday.

As he was fond of observing, “Laughter is the closest distance between two people.”

Happy birthday, Victor Borge.

A Mozart opera

With Lauritz Melchior

From an appearance on “The Dean Martin Show”

Playing the Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2

His first appearance on film, playing eight pianos, in 1937

January 3, 2022
Leonard Pennario LA Pianist Rediscovered

At the age of 10, Buffalo-born Leonard Pennario moved with his family to Los Angeles. L.A. would remain his base of operations for the rest of his career. He made his first recordings for Capitol Records in 1950 (over 40 albums were pressed). By 1959, he was the best-selling American pianist.

This Sunday night on “The Lost Chord,” we’ll hear highlights from Pennario’s Capitol catalogue, remastered for a 4-CD set on the MSR label. Tune in to enjoy his superlative interpretations of Prokofiev’s “Visions fugitives,” Ravel’s “La valse,” and the rarely-heard Piano Sonata by Miklós Rózsa.

I’d love to tell you more – about Pennario’s remarkable development and early triumphs, his professional relationships with top-tier musicians and personal ones with Hollywood glitterati, his ambivalent reception by the critics and his excellence at bridge – but my eyes are watering so badly from a cold right now, I’m afraid you’re just going to have to listen to the show!

I hope you’ll join me for “Go West, Young Man” – Leonard Pennario in Los Angeles – this Sunday night at 10:00 EST, on WWFM – The Classical Network and wwfm.org.

Note that that’s STANDARD time. Hope you remembered to change your clocks!

November 7, 2021
Martha Argerich Still Unstoppable at 80

Martha Argerich, the super-virtuoso, who nonetheless plays with lyricism and feeling, is 80 years-old today. Conquering depression, conquering nerves, conquering failed marriages, conquering cancer, Argerich is unstoppable. At 80, she still has lava in her veins.

Argerich at 25, playing Liszt’s Hungarian Rhapsody No. 6

Argerich at 77, playing Prokofiev’s Piano Concerto No. 3, a work she’s stated, matter-of-factly, is easy for her

Argerich rehearsing Ravel with her ex-husband, Charles Dutoit

Argerich demonstrating how to smoke while playing the piano

Smoking hot Martha Argerich. Happy birthday to one of our great pianists, and many happy returns!

June 5, 2021

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