Mozart Authority performed classic works of Mozart (16.Oct.06)
Last night renowned pianist, Paul Badura-Skoda, made a great appearance
in the Poly Theatre as part of the Beijing Music Festival concerts commemorating
Mozart’s 250 birthday. Hailed as the “Mozart Authority”, the 80-year-old
pianist not only conquered the hearts of the audience with his transcendental
technique and unique understanding of Mozart’s music; he also appealed
to them with his gentle soul and an unusual communicative charm.
In the program performed last night Badura-Skoda presented Mozart’s sonatas No. 14 and No. 18, Nine Variations on a Menuet by Duport, and Adagio in B minor. These are all late works of Mozart, at which time his musical style had reached its maturity demonstrating the richness of its content, and keeping its ever beautiful melodic quality and yet full of changes. Badura-Skoda’s performance clearly showed his understanding of the composer, interpreting the music with his flexibility in both his touch and control of timing while playing utmost attention to every note he played. The unique intimate yet communicative power of his modestly stature pianist has captured the attention and the emotions of the audience. With his neither overly subdued nor explosive style of playing coupled with his enamoured smile, the listeners were led and immersed into the world of Mozart.
Paul Badura-Skoda is one of the foremost leading artists in Vienna, Austria, who leaves his footprint in all the major concert halls in the world. His vast volume of recordings has always been popular and much revered by the public. Being one of the first artists of his days to perform on a period instrument, Badura-Skoda has demonstrated his mastery with his comprehensive understanding of the keyboard instruments, from Bach to Mozart to our modern concert grand. While at the same time he is also an avid collector of pianos, having amassed more than 30 pianos from different periods and utilizing them as a tool to research into the authenticity of different compositions as well as experiencing the sound effect of each particular era. This has helped tremendously thus contributing to his applying of various approaches and techniques on the piano.
In the program performed last night Badura-Skoda presented Mozart’s sonatas No. 14 and No. 18, Nine Variations on a Menuet by Duport, and Adagio in B minor. These are all late works of Mozart, at which time his musical style had reached its maturity demonstrating the richness of its content, and keeping its ever beautiful melodic quality and yet full of changes. Badura-Skoda’s performance clearly showed his understanding of the composer, interpreting the music with his flexibility in both his touch and control of timing while playing utmost attention to every note he played. The unique intimate yet communicative power of his modestly stature pianist has captured the attention and the emotions of the audience. With his neither overly subdued nor explosive style of playing coupled with his enamoured smile, the listeners were led and immersed into the world of Mozart.
Paul Badura-Skoda is one of the foremost leading artists in Vienna, Austria, who leaves his footprint in all the major concert halls in the world. His vast volume of recordings has always been popular and much revered by the public. Being one of the first artists of his days to perform on a period instrument, Badura-Skoda has demonstrated his mastery with his comprehensive understanding of the keyboard instruments, from Bach to Mozart to our modern concert grand. While at the same time he is also an avid collector of pianos, having amassed more than 30 pianos from different periods and utilizing them as a tool to research into the authenticity of different compositions as well as experiencing the sound effect of each particular era. This has helped tremendously thus contributing to his applying of various approaches and techniques on the piano.
Beijing Times, Liu Zhi-Long