Martha Argerich signing autographs for Ravel Fans in Sf, Calif.

Backstage, Martha Argerich graciously meets with fans of her music making. She signs a CD picture of her taken when she was 19. Also briefly mentioned by the fan next to her is a new CD of long-sought performances from 1960 to be released at the end of the year, which she seems to confirm. She had just played the Ravel Concerto in G in San Francisco with Michael Tilson Thomas that night, March 6, 2009 and was tired but agreed to meet with people nevertheless.

I didn't want to aim the camera at her constantly, so I held it 'aim'lessly at times, getting people's shoes :-)
Watching this therefore requires patience too.

She took time with the groups even when tired from having flown from Paris to play the very next day, March 5, and the following two nights -- showing utmost patience with requested signings when we went back to thank her for the gorgeous playing. Next, William H. and she discuss a photo of them from 1998, over a decade ago. They both look young, although the lighting was bad and didn't do her justice. How she can play as she does the most difficult passages with ease, unusual expressiveness, a feeling of improvised jazz, and with pizazz, at 67, is one of the Wonders of the world.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• argerich
• ravel
• autograph
• san francisco
• symphony
• backstage

[anieb]

Apologies to viewers of this clip. I didn't feel it was particularly polite to keep the video focused on Martha Argerich, so you will see (as explained in the gray-box description above right) lots of shoes :-) and the camera bopping around because sometimes I was just holding it while listening, but I hope it gives an idea of her patient backstage demeanor (even when tired, as she explained).

[fdaltrey]

Damn, she sounds so charming. I'd like to meet her some day. Of the pianists that I've met, Marc Andre Hamelin and Jean Yves Thibaudet are also very generous to their fans.

[vova47]

She is still young and vibrant. Thanks for sharing!

[mmoynan]

So cool!! I got to meet her (!) in Italy a couple months ago. It was crazy. What I've heard people say is completely true--she has such an aura around her. She's almost scary, but completely endearing at the same time.

Certainly a LOT of person contained to such a small frame!

[SalQrazy]

What a tease!

[kyleclef]

god i love her so much, at 1:20 don't you think when you see her face there should be the sound of a nuclear bomb...i don't know, just shes got such a aura around her ahaah. shows not only in her playing, but in her personality too.

[kyleclef]

lol (at martha) 'you do still look young!' 'yees' lol. you can tell she hates cameras hhaaa

[welldunneav]

Ah, she's lovely. I'd give almost anything to meet her. Thanks for the video.

[brianCIM]

wow! she seems like such a generous warm-hearted person. i have always believed that a pianist's personality comes out in their playing and this a wonderful glimpse into that. ty so much anieb!

[Angeles435]

Oh Martha is ALWAYS nice and gracious to fans... She's a total diva without the attitude. You were very lucky to have this moment. I met her in Philadelphia 2 years ago. I love her! And I'm Argentinian like her, too...! ;)