It has been a long while since a major pianist planned to play Beethoven 32 Sonatas in Paris – I remember the series of concerts given by Alfred Brendel and Maurizio Pollini in Pleyel, but that was in the 90s!
The 2nd concert played by Barenboim at the Philharmonie covered a large scope, with 4 Sonatas from different periods. Some artists prefer to play the works chronologically, others prefer to select pieces as they see fit, and both choices have their charm.
The Philharmonie de Paris wished to celebrate Ivry Gitlis. The evening mixed music and some talks with the old master. I should immediately mention that if he is old of age (96), Gitlis is young at heart and full of wit.
After a brief introduction, the 1st part of the evening was dedicated to music, mainly classical, with a long list of friends or former pupils queuing to play. Some of them said a few words to the audience or more privately just to Ivry, and one even wrote some sort of a poem.
The season started early with Daniel Barenboim and the Staatskapelle Berlin playing a series of concerts around Bruckner and Mozart in the Philharmonie de Paris.
On Sep. 2nd, they played Mozart 24th Piano Concerto (what a wonderful and pure Larghetto!) and Bruckner 4th Symphony, nicknamed “Romantic“. Remarkable interpretation, and an outstanding Andante!
On Sep. 8th they were back for Mozart 26th Piano Concerto (the high point being again the Larghetto) and Bruckner 6th Symphony. Another splendid slow movement, Adagio, and a brilliant Finale.