Maria João Pires, Klavier

Description

When the Lucerne Festival Orchestra under Claudio Abbado made a guest appearance at the Laeiszhalle at the beginning of the 2012/2013 season, the Portuguese pianist Maria João Pires provided the greatest surprise of the evening when she performed as soloist in a Mozart concerto: lean and elegant in tone, her meticulous interpretation demonstrated her deep commitment to the music. With this outstanding performance she has more than earned her status as the unofficial artist in residence at this Music Festival. For audiences in Hamburg her recital is a particular treat because Pires’ appearances on the international concert scene are extremely rare. She is known for her quiet, unassuming personality – an unusual attribute in the extrovert world of virtuoso pianists. Six weeks after performing at the Festival opening, she brings the »Schubertiade« series to a close. Along with Schubert’s last piano sonata with its echoes of »Winterreise«, the programme includes Debussy’s suite »Pour le piano«, which features the gamelan gongs the composer was fascinated by at the Paris World Fair. One could not wish for a better performer than Maria João Pires to convey the emotional intensity of Schubert and the delicate enchantment of Debussy. In a pre-concert talk as part of the »Behind the Scenes« series, experts from the world-famous piano manufacturing company Steinway & Sons discuss what makes a perfect grand piano.