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Tue, 22 Feb 2005 11:18:48 +1000 |
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He was marvellous pianist. I can recall attending a concert of his in
the London Festival Hall or in the Festival Complex there somewhere in
around 1996; it could have been the Queen Elizabeth Hall if there is
such a place in the Festival Centre.
As we know he was a large unsmiling man with prodigious technique. He
seemed a little nervous for the first 20 minutes or so; I cannot recall
what he played at that stage. After settling down somewhat he played
Pictures at an Exhibition; a spectacular performance. He also played
some works by Liszt and, I think, Schumann.
At the end, to the thunderous applause, there was a glimmer of a smile
- or it could have been my imagination. But it was a very memorable
performance (even though I can only remember once piece from it) by an
illustrious artist.
I took an Irish doctor to the performance; she is a person who knows
almost nothing of piano playing or virtuoso concerts. I am unsure, to
this day, why she agreed to come. She was very impressed or, at least,
said she was. I think very few would fail to be impressed by such a
concert.
Leon Le Leu
Australia
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