For a few days earlier this summer, I had the chance to quench my musical thirst at the 2025 Verbier Festival and I’ve been thinking about certain magical moments ever since, like a particularly stunning staged performance of Bach’s Mass in B minor, or a truly unforgettable evening on my last night in Verbier celebrating the legendary duo of Martha Argerich and Mischa Maisky (they have performed together for 50 years but this was my first time witnessing their extraordinary musical partnership live).
That evening brought back memories of another live performance from Verbier, broadcast over 15 years ago, that I had watched on medici.tv. At the heart of that 2008 concert is Edvard Grieg’s Cello Sonata in A minor, an intense and passionate piece, and from the very first notes, the chemistry between Argerich and Maisky was palpable. Maisky moved seamlessly between tension and tenderness, while Argerich brought each phrase to life with fluid, expressive energy.
The emotional peak of the concert is in the second movement with waves of crescendo falling into near-whispered pianissimos. For me, it captured the very essence of what a piano-cello dialogue can be. The final movement was electrifying: spirited and joyful, with a youthful freshness that felt almost spontaneous. Thanks to the artists’ decades-long bond, this rarely-performed work revealed its full expressive depth.
Before this intimate duet, Martha Argerich opened the concert solo with Bach’s Partita No. 2. While many of us know Glenn Gould’s iconic interpretation, Argerich offered something entirely her own—an interpretation that felt free and alive, far removed from any academic rigidity. She reminded us of what makes her such a singular artist: her ability to infuse even the most demanding structures with vibrant, emotional nuance.
Another rare gem from that evening was her four-hand Mozart with pianist Stephen Kovacevich. In the Andante with Five Variations, the two played with tenderness and lightness. It was Mozart in his purest form: elegant, playful, and perfectly balanced. Here again, Argerich showed that beyond her phenomenal technique, it’s her musical intelligence and extraordinary sensitivity as a listener that make her truly one-of-a-kind.
Martha Argerich and Mischa Maisky continue to defy time. Whether its in that 2008 recording or at the 2025 edition of the festival, their playing remains as intense, radiant, and sensitive as ever. Musicians in a state of grace—true to themselves, yet always evolving.
