March 23, 2024 is a day of mourning for the piano world. Maurizio Pollini (Milan, January 5, 1942 – March 23, 2024), 82 years old, passed away. He was one of those 'greats' who left their mark on concert life throughout their lifetime, worldwide.
Pollini will be remembered above all as the reference par excellence for performances of Chopin in the first place and of the great Romantics in the second place. In the third, not unimportant place, were the composers of the 20th century. It is quite remarkable that he had little Russian composers in his repertoire while they are of great importance in later classical music from Tchaikovsky onwards. Well, you can't know and want everything, etc. As for that 'contemporary' music, his recording of the complete piano work of Arnold Schönberg is noteworthy.
Maurizio Pollini collected a host of prizes throughout his life, of which the most important was perhaps the Gold Medal at the International Chopin Competition in Warsaw, 1960. None other than Arthur Rubinstein, who was chairman of the jury, said that none of the jury members could play piano as well as Pollini. It was quite something and it was immediately the start of an international career.
Later in his career, Pollini received two Grammy Awards and three Echo Klassik prizes and several other distinctions. They all honored his abilities and achievements. The pianist-conductor leaves behind a series of interesting recordings. They are characteristic of their time.
Listen once more in the video below to a performance by the composer with whom he stood in the very first place: Chopin.
[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zUzcu48W5eY[/embed]