Intervista (1949) ad Arturo Benedetti Michelangeli di ritorno dalla prima tournèe in USA e Canada

La voce di Arturo Benedetti Michelangeli, qui intervistato da un giornalista della Rai al ritorno dalla prima trionfale tournèe di quaranta concerti (1948/'49) negli Stati Uniti e in Canada. Michelangeli parla tra l'altro dell'accoglienza ricevuta e del suo contribujto a diffondere la musica italiana in America.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Arturo
• Benedetti
• Michelangeli
• intervista

[LunaEllee]

Oh che emozione sentire la sua voce

[massimobentivegna]

@peixotoraul Just in case you were still interested into it, I have translated the interview into (some sort of) English.

[massimobentivegna]

There it is. I have translated the interview into (some sort of) English.

Please, read from bottom to top... Cheers, MB

[massimobentivegna]

What pertains to symphonic and chamber music is more or less ignored. On my part, this year I have played many pieces by Italian harpsichordists, which have raised some remarkable interest. In my next tour, I plan to devote at least one third of my programmes to Italian music.

[massimobentivegna]

Tell us: according to you, is Italian music of these days given proper credit in America?

I think it isn’t. As a matter of fact, we can say that the only Italian music well known in America is confined to the operatic repertoire of the XIX century and to its most accomplished interpreters.

[massimobentivegna]

It’s evidently a purely exterior and superficial thing, and as such it has no trace whatsoever of a polemical meaning. After all, the relationships between me and the Northamerican audiences have always been more than cordial.

And now your own judgement... Which is the North American audience that you find more demanding and well-prepared?

The Canadian, no doubt about it.

[massimobentivegna]

And now, please, allow us to make you a delicate question, so to speak. Some North American critics have also remarked, in addition to your outstanding mastery as a concert player, an alleged cold aloofment with the audience. What do you think about this impression of theirs?

[massimobentivegna]

Have you also played with the orchestra during the tour?

Yes. I took part in 13 symphonic concerts, with the New York Philharmonic conducting Mitropoulos, and with the Philharmonic Orchestras of Minneapolis, Saint Louis, Los Angeles and San Antonio.

[massimobentivegna]

Having summarized the impressions of the North American critics, let’s now hear those of Arturo Benedetti Michelangeli. First of all, which were the most important places in your tour?

Among the most significative I can recall New York, Chicago, the whole California and Los Angeles in particular, and last but not least Canada. In total some 40 concerts.

[massimobentivegna]

[Arturo Benedetti Michelangeli] has just come home from a recent tour in Northern America. In all the reviews we have received one can find a recurring judgement, regarding the exceptional perfection of the young Italian concert player’s performances. Herbert Russell of the Houston Post dares to write: “he is a superb musician, and there’s something magic in everything he plays”.