Pianist Maria João Pires panics as she realises the orchestra has started the wrong concerto
This is quite extraordinary. The wonderful Maria João Pires is ready to play a Mozart piano concerto with the Amsterdam Concertgebouw conducted by Riccardo Chailly, only to hear the orchestra begin playing another Mozart concerto – no 20 in D minor, K466, not what she was expecting or had prepared for. Can you imagine her horror? You'll have to watch the film below to find out what happened next.
Pianist Maria João Pires panics as she realises....
Pianist Maria João Pires panics as she realises....
"To appreciate the greatness of the Masters is to keep faith in the greatness of humanity." - Wilhelm Furtwängler
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Re: Pianist Maria João Pires panics as she realises....
Oh, I don´t know if it´s true or not, but there´s an anecdote of Sir Thomas Beecham arriving at an opera house with the score of Nozze di Figaro. When the concertmaster realized that he had the wrong score since that night they were performing Die Entführung aus dem Serail, he told him: Maestro, tonight it´s Seraglio. Sir Thomas just said: "Oh Lord". He closed the score and went on to conduct from memory.
Of course with a pianist it´s more difficult, because they have to have the work in their fingers, it´s also a physical thing.
There´s also an anecdote of Renata Scotto just returning from her honeymoon and going to Covent Garden with her husband to that night´s performance. They took a seat in the auditorium when someone spotted her there and said: But Renata, you are singing TONIGHT!!!! She ran to the dressing rooms and in a few minutes was ready to sing Mimí in La Bohéme.
Of course with a pianist it´s more difficult, because they have to have the work in their fingers, it´s also a physical thing.
There´s also an anecdote of Renata Scotto just returning from her honeymoon and going to Covent Garden with her husband to that night´s performance. They took a seat in the auditorium when someone spotted her there and said: But Renata, you are singing TONIGHT!!!! She ran to the dressing rooms and in a few minutes was ready to sing Mimí in La Bohéme.
Last edited by Jose Echenique on Mon Oct 28, 2013 2:55 am, edited 1 time in total.
Re: Pianist Maria João Pires panics as she realises....
I thing it strange that she had not rehearsed with the orchestra before the concert, yet she managed to remember the entire concerto, that is some achievement. I have her box set of the entire Mozart piano sonatas, it is a lovely collection, I wouldn't be without it.Jose Echenique wrote:Oh, I don´t know if it´s true or not, but there´s an anecdote of Sir Thomas Beecham arriving at an opera house with the score of Nozze di Figaro. When the concertmaster realized that he had the wrong score since that night they were performing Die Entführung aus dem Serail, he told him: Maestro, tonight it´s Seraglio. Sir Thomas just said: "Oh Lord". He closed the score and went on to conduct from memory.
Of course with a pianist it´s more difficult, because they have to have the work in their fingers, it´s also a physical thing.
"To appreciate the greatness of the Masters is to keep faith in the greatness of humanity." - Wilhelm Furtwängler
Re: Pianist Maria João Pires panics as she realises....
I read elsewhere that it was actually an open rehearsal, not the concert itself. Haven't actually got around to watching this video yet myself...
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Re: Pianist Maria João Pires panics as she realises....
A wonderful feat to be able to carry something like that off.
I am sure that our Simon would be equally up to a similiar task!
I am sure that our Simon would be equally up to a similiar task!
To be is to do: Socrates
To do is to be: Sartre
Do be do be do: Sinatra
To do is to be: Sartre
Do be do be do: Sinatra
Re: Pianist Maria João Pires panics as she realises....
I finally watched it, utterly amazing I have to say. I actually got goosebumps as she started playing.
Fergus, I will live my entire life without being able to play one Mozart concerto, no matter how much preparation time I'm given!!
Fergus, I will live my entire life without being able to play one Mozart concerto, no matter how much preparation time I'm given!!
Nerdcave: ...is no more!
Sitting Room: Wadia 581SE - Rega Planar 3/AT VM95ML & SH - Bluesound Node II - Copland CSA 100 - Audioplan Kontrast 3
Kitchen: WiiM Pro - Wadia 151 - B&W 685s2
Sitting Room: Wadia 581SE - Rega Planar 3/AT VM95ML & SH - Bluesound Node II - Copland CSA 100 - Audioplan Kontrast 3
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Re: Pianist Maria João Pires panics as she realises....
Diapason wrote:
Fergus, I will live my entire life without being able to play one Mozart concerto, no matter how much preparation time I'm given!!
Not at all Simon....I have every faith in you!
To be is to do: Socrates
To do is to be: Sartre
Do be do be do: Sinatra
To do is to be: Sartre
Do be do be do: Sinatra
Re: Pianist Maria João Pires panics as she realises....
That would make sense.Diapason wrote:I read elsewhere that it was actually an open rehearsal, not the concert itself. Haven't actually got around to watching this video yet myself...
"To appreciate the greatness of the Masters is to keep faith in the greatness of humanity." - Wilhelm Furtwängler
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Re: Pianist Maria João Pires panics as she realises....
It is indeed a rehearsal. Chailly has a towel around his neck LOL!!!!Seán wrote:That would make sense.Diapason wrote:I read elsewhere that it was actually an open rehearsal, not the concert itself. Haven't actually got around to watching this video yet myself...
Re: Pianist Maria João Pires panics as she realises....
and yet she is a true professional: she is very upset as she had not prepared for the performance.Jose Echenique wrote:It is indeed a rehearsal. Chailly has a towel around his neck LOL!!!!Seán wrote:That would make sense.Diapason wrote:I read elsewhere that it was actually an open rehearsal, not the concert itself. Haven't actually got around to watching this video yet myself...
"To appreciate the greatness of the Masters is to keep faith in the greatness of humanity." - Wilhelm Furtwängler