Martha Argerich and Daniel Barenboim unite in a historic recording of Mozart, Schubert, and Stravinsky. Recorded live in the Philharmonie, Berlin, April 19, 2014. (DG CD 479 3922). Running time: 75:27
Music-lovers fortunate enough to have got a ticket for the recital given by Argerich and Barenboim in Berlin this past April must still be smiling ear to ear. This was truly a historic occasion and one of the great musical events of anybody’s lifetime. Argerich is 73 and Barenboim is 72 and each of them has long since been established as one of the foremost performers of their generation. And on the evidence of this recording their artistry has never been better.
It is remarkable that both Argerich and Barenboim both grew up in Bueno Aires, and both were child prodigies. They later went their separate ways and only recently have found time to make music together. Given their wide-ranging interests and commitments it is unlikely that it will happen often again.
The concert opened with a great two-piano piece by Mozart with Barenboim playing Piano I. From the opening bars it quickly becomes clear that this is highly individual playing. The melodies are teased and caressed and tempi often adjusted to suit the material. This is particularly evident in the last movement. The two pianists take off at top speed and then cut the tempo by half to make the second subject more expressive. This is artistry of the highest order.
The Schubert Variations on an Original Theme D 813 is equally fine. This is an eloquent reading of a beautiful but neglected work. Argerich is not known for her Schubert but Barenboim has recently recorded all of the sonatas for DG.
The highlight of the concert is certainly the Stravinsky. This rarely-heard four-hand version provides a unique perspective on this great orchestral masterpiece. Without all the orchestral colour we are struck once again by the originality of the harmonies and rhythms. Apparently, Stravinsky himself wrote this version and even played it with Debussy. If so, Debussy must have been a remarkable pianist. I would like to have heard his comments as he read this piece for the first time!
Barenboim has conducted Le sacre du printemps many times while Argerich had never played it before this performance. The result is some of the most exciting music-making one could hope to hear. The two artists are completely in sync and rattle through the technical challenges as if they didn’t exist.
http://youtu.be/l7GtXZTrKJc
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