Piano Duos: Mozart / Schubert / Stravinsky Martha Argerich & Daniel Barenboim

• Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791)
• 11. Allegro con spirito08:01
• 22. Andante10:02
• 33. Allegro molto06:37
• Franz Schubert (1797-1828)
• 4Variations On A Original Theme In A Flat, D81318:32
• Igor Stravinsky (1882–1971)
• 5Part 1: The Adoration of the Earth14:48
• 6Part 2: The Sacrifice17:25
• Total Runtime01:15:25

Info for Piano Duos: Mozart / Schubert / Stravinsky

A magic moment in the history of classical music: Martha Argerich and Daniel Barenboim – both from Buenos Aires – team up for a duo recital at Berlin's Philharmonie.

A reunion of the two classical superstars after more than 15 years. THE concert highlight from Berlin's fully packed Philharmonie on the occasion of the 'Festtage der Berliner Staatsoper 2014'

“Barenboim's instinct is to sing out, to play to the very back of the hall...[Argerich] acts in a way as a moderating influence on Barenboim's flights, thanks surely in part to her years of experience as a chamber musician...These two-piano bodges always draw from critics the cliche that one misses the orchestral colouring of the work...This shattering performance sweeps away all such notions.” (Gramophone Magazine)

“There are few experiences in musical terms that are more satisfying than hearing performances of works you think you know in a way that makes you stop in your tracks. You submit to a new appraisal as it reveals aspects and nuances that you had been unaware of before. That is certainly what happened when I listened to this disc.” (MusicWeb International)

“Stravinsky's Rite of Spring prompts several adjectives: brutal, revolutionary, relentless, terrifying...But elegant? Urbane, seductive, sensuous? This astonishing performance is all that and more. Few orchestral accounts equal the colouristic range on offer here...This is keyboard sorcery near the levels reported of Chopin and Liszt.” (BBC Music Magazine)

“If there is one disc any pianophile should not miss, it is this one...even the quieter moments possess great power…[this recording] delivers everything it promises and more.” (Classical Music)

Martha Argerich, piano
Daniel Barenboim, piano

Martha Argerich
was born in Buenos Aires (Argentina). She began her first piano lessons at the age of five with Vincenzo Scaramuzza. Considered a child prodigy, she soon performs in public. In 1955, she moved to Europe and continued her studies in London, Vienna and in Switzerland with Bruno Seidlhofer, Friedrich Gulda, Nikita Magaloff, Madeleine Lipatti and Stefan Askenase.

In 1957, she won the Bolzano and Geneva Piano Competitions, and in 1965 the Warsaw International Chopin Competition. Since then, she has been one of the most prominent pianists in the world both in popularity and ability.

Martha Argerich has been rated highly for her performance of the virtuoso piano literature of the XIX and XX centuries. Her large repertoire includes Bach and Bartók, Beethoven and Messiaen, as well as Chopin, Schumann, Liszt, Debussy, Ravel, Franck, Prokofiev, Stravinski, Shostakovitch, Tchaikovski.

Though she is permanently invited by the most prestigious orchestras, conductors and music festivals in Europe, Japan and America, chamber music takes a significant part of her musical life. She regularly plays and records with Nelson Freire, Ivry Gitlis, Mischa Maisky, Gidon Kremer and Daniel Barenboim: “This harmony within a group of people gives me a strong and peaceful feeling.”

Martha Argerich has recorded for EMI, Sony, Philips, Teldec, DGG and many of her performances were broadcasted on television worldwide. She has received many awards: »Grammy Award« for Bartók and Prokofiev Concertos, »Gramophon – Artist of the Year«, »Best Piano Concerto Recording of the Year« for Chopin Concertos, »Choc« of the Monde de la Musique for her Amsterdam’s recital, »Künstler des Jahres Deutscher Schallplatten Kritik«, »Grammy Award« for Prokofiev’s Cinderella with Mikhael Pletnev and lately a »Grammy Award« for Beethoven Concertos 2 & 3 with the Mahler Chamber Orchestra under Claudio Abbado (DGG/»Best Instrumental Soloist Performance«), »The Sunday Times – Record of the Year« and »BBC Music Magazine Award« for her Shostakovitch recording (EMI, 2007). Last recordings include Mozart Concertos K466 and K503 with Orchestra Mozart and Claudio Abbado and a Duo Recital with Daniel Barenboim (Deutsche Grammophon).

Since 1998 she is the Artistic Director of the Beppu Festival in Japan. In 1999 she created the »International Piano Competition and Festival Martha Argerich« in Buenos Aires, and in June 2002 the »Progetto Martha Argerich« in Lugano.

Martha Argerich has received numerous distinctions: »Officier de l’Ordre des Arts et Lettres« in 1996. »Commandeur de l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres« in 2004 by the French Government, »Accademica di Santa Cecilia« in Rome in 1997, »Musician of the Year« by Musical America 2001, »The Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette« by the Japanese Emperor and the prestigious »Praemium Imperiale« by the Japan Art Association in 2005.

This album contains no booklet.