To celebrate her birthday and a stunning career, we take a look back at some of Martha Argerich’s most legendary performances.
Beethoven – Piano Concerto No. 1
Martha Argerich joined the lofty ranks of the world’s greatest pianists as a young prodigy, giving her first concert at the age of 8 with none other than Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 1. The piece stayed with her throughout her career; her 2020 performance with Herbert Blomstedt and the Lucerne Festival Orchestra represents Argerich’s long-standing relationship with the iconic concerto.
Tchaikovsky – Piano Concerto No. 1
Filmed in 1977, this is a timeless recording of a 35-year-old Argerich playing with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra under the baton of Sir Charles Groves. In this virtuosic performance, Argerich brings Tchaikovsky’s masterwork to life with her signature fire and vigor — a key part of her playing style that makes her so exhilarating to listen to.
Stravinsky – The Rite of Spring for Two Pianos (with Daniel Barenboim)
Programming a duet for two pianos is rare in concert settings, if only for the piano tuner’s sake! Even rarer is having the pleasure of listening to two of the world’s best pianists, who just so happen to be childhood friends, perform such a monumental work together. Despite being better known in its orchestral version, The Rite of Spring was originally written for piano, and this two-piano version is a great introduction to the piece.
Daniel Barenboim and Argerich have been friends since the ages of 7 and 8 in Buenos Aires. Both young prodigies went on to have extremely successful careers, often intersecting in memorable collaborations like this one.
Ravel – Piano Concerto in G major
One of Argerich’s favorite works is Maurice Ravel’s endlessly entertaining piano concerto written in the 30s. With rich orchestration and a virtuosic piano solo, Argerich brings her flawless technique and vitality to this captivating performance. The jazz-infused melodies in Ravel’s writing bring an almost Gershwinian feel to this concerto and Argerich leans into this energy with playful brilliance.
Prokofiev – Piano Concerto No. 3
Revered for her incredible technique, not even the infamously difficult Piano Concerto No.3 from Sergei Prokofiev could shake the confidence of a young Argerich. Her ability to tame even the most fiendish passages is evident in her masterful interpretation of the giddy and abrupt changes in the second movement Tema con Variazioni. Argerich’s interpretation of this beloved work won her a Grammy Award for her performance with French conductor Charles Dutoit.
Schumann – Piano Concerto in A minor
Though we have only been blessed with one piano concerto from composer Robert Schumann, this solitary work from the Romantic composer does not miss the mark. Schumann artfully combines rich orchestration with a through-composed piano part, leaving critics of the time refreshed.
Having recorded this spectacular concerto several times, Argerich masterfully captures the fantastical romanticism that Schumann was so famous for, backed by the impressive control of the Gewandhausorchester Leipzig and Italian conductor Riccardo Chailly.
Beethoven – Piano Concerto No. 2
Originally written as his own personal showpiece, Ludwig van Beethoven’s second piano concerto was published shortly after his first. Unsurprisingly, Argerich shines in this second concerto, and won a Grammy Award for her rendition with the Mahler Chamber Orchestra. Performing here with the Verbier Festival Orchestra, Argerich is outwardly joyful and plays with absolute control.
Mendelssohn – Piano Trio No. 1 (with Janine Jansen and Mischa Maisky)
You might be surprised to hear that one of the greatest pianists of all time is also a devoted chamber musician; Martha Argerich has a decorated career in chamber music, performing regularly with cellist Mischa Maisky. In this star-studded concert from Lucerne’s piano festival Le Piano Symphonique, Argerich deftly handles the delicate balance of accompanist and soloist alongside Maisky and superstar violinist Janine Jansen in Mendelssohn’s Piano Trio No. 1.
Martha Argerich has one of the most illustrious careers of any pianist. Despite her battle with stage fright, Argerich has conquered almost every world stage to bring us some of the most legendary performances spanning Beethoven to Prokofiev and everything in between. Even her lesser-known performances are a testament to her passion and unwavering artistry.
