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Martha Argerich

From HitStory, the pop encyclopedia of School of Rock · Artist

Martha Argerich is an Argentine concert pianist, born in 1941 in Buenos Aires. She began playing the piano at the age of three and at five received lessons from Vincenzo Scaramuzza, who stressed lyricism and feeling. At eight she gave her first concert. Six years later her family moved to Europe, where she studied with Friedrich Gulda in Austria and later with Stefan Askenase and Maria Curcio. In 1957, at sixteen, she won both the Busoni Competition and the Geneva International Music Competition. A personal and artistic crisis followed.

Music and breakthrough

Her international career began after her victory at the International Chopin Piano Competition of 1965. She made records such as Début Recital from 1961 and the recording of Prokofiev's Third Piano Concerto and Ravel's Piano Concerto in G from 1967. She is known for her interpretations of Chopin, Ravel, Liszt, Prokofiev and Schumann. Since the 1980s she has chosen mainly ensemble playing, with musicians such as Nelson Freire, Mischa Maisky and Gidon Kremer.

Influence

Argerich is regarded as one of the greatest pianists of our time. She combines a blazing technique with an impulsive, almost improvised expression, and shows how classical music can sound direct and exciting.

Listening

Listening tip. Listen to Ravel's Piano Concerto in G in her recording and notice the fast, jazzy opening and the very calm, singing middle section. Can you hear how she creates the difference in mood?

Discography

Studio albums

Categories: Artists