Pires, London Symphony Orchestra, Haitink, Barbican Hall

Mozart has more vitality in eight bars than Bruckner in an entire symphony

by Ismene BrownTuesday, 14 June 2011

Pires and Haitink: Two artists with a deep rapport and a pellucid touch in MozartPires © Felix Broede/ Haitink courtesy LSO

It was Groundhog Day. Murray Perahia, due to play the Schumann Piano Concerto last night under Bernard Haitink, was indisposed and at the last minute Maria João Pires rushed in with Mozart 27. Just the same happened in 2006, strangely enough, with exactly the same three artists and orchestra. As you ponder that for a coincidence, what this shows is the powerful bonds that exist between musicians, between Haitink and these two pianists, whose virtues have much in common: impeccable lucidity and light-filled emotion.

Haitink’s undemonstrative conducting style speaks of much exacting kitchen work beforehand to prepare these delicacies

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