Editors Note: With the very sad news on the passing of Radu Lupu, it only seems fitting to offer this concert, which I posted back in 2018, as a tribute to this astonishing and gifted artist. He won’t be forgotten.
Radu Lupu, Piano – Vienna Philharmonic, Riccardo Muti, cond. 1979 Salzburg Festival – Aug.12, 1979 – Gordon Skene Sound Collection
Another historic concert this week. From the 1979 Salzburg Festival, a performance by the Vienna Philharmonic, led by Riccardo Muti and featuring Radu Lupu in music of Beethoven and Bruckner.
Only two works – but it fills up 90 minutes easily. Starting with the Beethoven Piano Concerto Number 1 and ending with the Bruckner Symphony Number 1 (Linz version).
The Romanian pianist Radu Lupu has won just about every prestigious award in the field of Classical Piano since 1966. His recordings are legendary and his concerts are not-to-be-missed events.
In his concert performances, Lupu does not use a piano bench, but instead an office chair. Lupu has participated in notable chamber music partnerships with, among others, the violinist Szymon Goldberg, the soprano Barbara Hendricks, and his fellow pianist, Murray Perahia.
He has recoded exclusively for Decca (Universal Music), and his recordings, though consisting of limited repertoire (Schubert, Brahms, Beethoven and Mozart) are highly acclaimed by audiences and critics.
Radu Lupu made his American debut in 1972 with the Cleveland Orchestra, with Daniel Barenboim conducting in New York City, and with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, with Carlo Maria Giulini conducting. Whilst Lupu has performed with all of the major orchestras of the world and at major music festivals, he is a somewhat reclusive figure. He has regularly refused to grant interviews to journalists for over 30 years. You would expect anything less?
Riccardo Muti began his conducting career with the Maggio Musicale Fiorentino, a post he held for eleven years. Since then, he has held down two posts – Music Director of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and the Orchestra Giovanile Luigi Cherubini. Previously he held Music Director posts with the Philharmonia Orchestra in London, the Philadelphia Orchestra, the Teatro alla Scala in Milan and the Salzburg Whitsun Festival. Muti has been a prolific recording artist and has received dozens of honors, titles, awards and prizes. He is particularly associated with the music of Giuseppe Verdi.
A concert of great music making, definitely qualifying for Anti-Road Rage inclusion.
Turn it up and take a break.
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