Slight editing for idiom, by Andrys - don't blame Paolo
Rome,
February 9 2001. Auditorium of Santa Cecilia.
Claudio Abbado, Martha Argerich & Berliner Philharmonic
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Soon after the Beethoven Concerto No 2, the radio reporter tries to meet Argerich, in order to interview her. He says that she can't speak to him at that moment, as she is surrounded by many people and eating a box of chocolates with Abbado... But she promises him she'll speak with him on the radio at the end of the evening. In the meantime, the reporter says that he met Argerich on the morning, during the rehearsal. He says that she (very modestly) asked him if she was playing too loudly. And, of course, he and his colleagues reassured her that her playing was just perfect. The concert was ended by Beethoven's third Symphony. And so, finally, the reporter can meet her: R. We've never seen such an audience enthusiasm [as this one] for you, Ms. Argerich... A. I've just heard, listened to the "Eroica" by Maestro Abbado, which is such a thing...I am really stunned... It is such a wonder...I've never heard... R. [interrupting] Are you moved? A. I am very moved, yes...there is a mixture of intensity and sensitivity, which is something...[sighing] whole and this is very rare... R. Yes. We saw during the Beethoven Concerto a great
understanding between you and the Maestro Abbado...
A. Did you? [surprised]. It's simple!: We always had a great understanding!...I don't know...but nearly whenever I play with him I feel as if I were being guided. R. Safe?... A. Yes, yes...I feel guided... even, I am very nervous, and he does know it, and understands [laughing] what to do...no? R. When did this your friendship begin? A. I met Claudio when I was 14 years old, in Vienna... because he was a pianist at that time [laughing]!. He was also a pupil of Friedrich Gulda, a little, in Salzburg, and so I knew him...and I played for him the second piano part of the third Beethoven Concerto, during the final of the course with Friedrich Gulda. He played on that occasion because he was the best in that class! Then I recorded my first disc with orchestra with him...with Berliner...and it was his first disc as well... R. The Beethoven Piano Concerto we heard this evening is
one of the less frequented, less performed ones...
A. It's true... R. How is it possible? A. Actually, it's the first (Beethoven) Concerto, this one you mean... I don't know why people find it less interesting than others, but I find it very interesting...I like it very much. The first time I heard it was with Friedrich Gulda in Argentina... I do like it...But, above all, I don't know what you think of it... R. Oh, I like it very much, and moreover we've just heard it in
an extraordinary performance...
[At this point, the colleague of the reporter asks him to tell Argerich that during the performance she gave them the same emotion she felt with Abbado. But he doesn't know that Argerich can hear what he says] A. [laughing, embarrassed] Ha!...I heard you R. But it's true!
A. Thank you...
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Slight editing for idiom, by Andrys - don't blame Paolo
