Menachem Pressler
For more than 50 years, Menahem Pressler was the driving force of the legendary Beaux Arts Trio, giving 6,000 performances until the trio stopped performing in 2009.I attended one of their final concerts in San Francisco. As frequently happened, the program included a magical interpretation of one of Schubert’s piano trios.
Pressler is now close to 90 years old, and he is returning to a solo career. He is the last representative of a pianistic tradition directly connected with the great German and French piano schools: he studied with several pupils of the illustrious Ferruccio Busoni.
The Washington Post wrote:
“Pressler’s ability to give all the voices prominence while simultaneously isolating the melody was amazing. His fingers still retain a youthful facility.”
The program includes the music of:
- Beethoven
- Debussy
- Chopin
- Schubert
I particularly enjoyed the performance of the Beethoven Sonata #31, Op. 110. What amazing music this is, and Mr. Pressler shows us his outstanding ability to recreate the sound magic from the vast number of back notes in front of him.
Later in this concert filmed in Paris, we hear more magical sounds of Chopin and Debussy.
At the conclusion of the program we are back to what likely is Mr. Pressler’s favorite composer, Franz Schubert. We hear the Piano Sonata D. 960.
Here is Mr. Pressler in a Chopin Mazurka
Please click HERE to listen
And here’s more music from this wonderful recital
Please click HERE
Tags: Menachem Pressler, Recital, Beethoven Chopin, Schubert