S is for

More then and now comparisons for the incomparable Argerich. This is why I love technology.

Scarlatti Sonata in D minor, K.141 (L.422) - Martha Argerich



Scarlatti Sonata in D minor, K.141 (L.422) - Martha Argerich



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Ivo Pogorelić is perhaps the pianist most famous for becoming a household name in the music world after not winning a famous musical competition. At age 21, he was eliminated from the Frederic Chopin International Music Competition before the finals--partly, so it was thought, because of some of jurors' aversion to his unconventional style, both in delivery and appearance. Looking more like an 80s pop star (with distinctly New Wave hair), than the stereotypical classical musician, and interpreting the pieces with the sort of deviance that could be thought just as much pompous show as real genius, he apparently caused enough of a difference of opinion to result in his displacement despite his obvious talent. He also apparently made enough of an impression on one of the jurors, a renowned pianist, to cause that juror to resign from the competition in disgust while proclaiming his genius--she was none other than Martha Argerich.

Pogorelić's style and talent has remained the subject of controversy for pretty much his entire career (which has been inconsistent and marked by several periods of absence, most notably after his wife's death [who was also his piano teacher and whom he married the same year as the infamous competition.]) My familiarity with his interpretations was until a couple of years ago, I admit, solely through his Scarlatti pieces; that's when I came across his videos. It's terribly interesting for me to watch his hands as he plays because, much to my surprise, there is (after all this time!) a residual adverse reaction on my part to how he holds and places and flexes his fingers and wrists, stemming from my very own traditional training that was based on the premise that controlled, even placement was the key to truly emotional and personal interpretation. Which is why, as much I will give Pogorelić his due for being an excellent interpreter of Scarlatti, I secret;y delight in the Michelangeli piece, for example, more.

Scarlatti Sonata No. 3 in C Major K. 159 - Ivo Pogorelić



Scarlatti Sonata No. 3 in C Major K. 159 - Arturo MichelAngeli



By the way, here are two of the pieces Pogorelić played at the 1980 competition he did not win. Keep in mind that while the likes of Joshua Bell perform in concert today without the requisite jacket and [bow]tie look, that was simply not done at a formal performance (especially an international competition)30 years ago.

Chopin Sonata No. 2 in B Flat Minor (3rd Movement "Marche funèbre"; Lento) - Ivo Pogorelić



Chopin Scherzo No. 3 in C Sharp Minor (Op. 39) - Ivo Pogorelić



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Scarlatti will, of course, always remind me of Scott, who played his pieces like Ivo played his Chopin.