So, it happened. The day of Martha's concert arrived and I was there! We were there!
Oh, maybe you don't know the whole story and have no clue who Martha is?
Let's start from the beginning then.
About a month ago, while chatting with my niece I got the info that one of the biggest names in pianistic circles, Martha Argerich, will hold a concert in Belgrade (Serbia). It seemed a unique opportunity to see this Piano Diva in real life. I listened to hundreds of her recordings and learned about her at the University, but I have never had any close opportunity to attend a concert of her. I didn't think twice. My niece also badly wanted to go, as well as her sister (my other niece), so we agreed to buy the tickets and if I make it to Belgrade until then, we are going to the concert together.
The tickets were bought, there was no way back!
Finally, I made it to Serbia a few days before the concert and on Saturday, we went to the capital - Belgrade. I rented a small studio apartment for us and really looked forward to this exciting excursion. I don't have to tell you that I am double older than they are... (no, I really don't have to reveal this, it can stay a secret).
Arrived, unpacked, went to the city centre, took a walk on the main street... and went to the place of the concert. It is Ilija M. Kolarac Endowment (Zadužbina Ilije M. Kolarca), the oldest and most important concert hall in Belgrade, where around 300 events and jazz and classical concerts are held annually. The part of the building can be seen in the photo above. When we arrived, people were still waiting outside, as the doors were still not open to the public.
We had our tickets and slowly got into the line to enter the building. I met the friends of my niece (strangely, they all addressed me with respect as if I would be that much older?! Ok, maybe it is the education, which is actually a very nice thing) and after some moments we found ourselves in the hall.
Clearly, we didn't mess up the day and date, it was The Day of Martha's concert :)) She was there... on the poster, at least!
The audience was diverse. Older and younger generations, some people were elegantly dressed but mainly people were in casual clothes. What gathered all of us was one person, the great pianist Martha Argerich, who turned 81 this year. Eighty-one years old, and I can tell you, she is still rocking on the piano!
The musicians were tuning when I peeked into the hall and looked in the direction of the stage. Not everyone was still there, but slowly they were getting ready and warming up for the concert. The seats were still mainly unoccupied, well there were still some 15 minutes until the concert that was scheduled for 8 pm.
A few minutes before the concert had to start... the audience was full and went dark, and the scene was under light. The excitement could be felt in the air. And then... applause! Very strong applause to welcome the director, the musicians and our dear protagonist, Martha Argerich.
She is very natural on the scene. Fully dominates the situation. The audience... we were in awe. We witnessed magic!
You have to know that taking videos or photos was forbidden not advised. But I do have one photo of her (please use a magnifying glass to see her :D we had our seats on the balcony, so I don't have a closer photo).
But the Queen of all of the Piano Queens is there, playing magically the Piano Concerto in G Major by Maurice Ravel. The first movement was an absolute joy and pleasure. It was very funny and brought a smile to my face. During the second movement, I closed my eyes and let myself go to the fields, feeling the wind, nostalgia, sadness and again a lot of pleasure. The third movement was getting back to the humoristic character of Ravel's music, the dialogue between the orchestra and piano is comical. I secretly took the last part of the third movement, when they repeated it for the encore. Here it is (sorry, taken with a phone):
When they finished the concert, there were ovations! We stood for some 5 or more minutes, clapping as loud as possible and got two more additional pieces played by Martha. One Bach piece from the English Suite in G minor and Schumann's composition Dreaming.
I almost had tears in my eyes that the concert had to finish. I wanted it to last forever. To stay there in magic, with the Piano Queen on the scene. Her dynamics and absolute domination are admirable and just amazing how she can play, regardless of how old she is!
Without many words, we understood each other with my nieces - this was the best ever concert we visited so far. A bit sad that it finished, but that's life, we had to accept it. Slowly walked back by the main street, got our bus and went to the apartment. Silence, not to spoil the music we had in our minds...
Martha, thank you for this magical evening.
▶️ 3Speak
Even more impressive that she's 81!
Yes!!
I am saying these days that when I grow up, I want to be Martha Argerich :D
Also said to my nieces to ask me to play the piano when I turn 81... we will see what I will be able to produce... even to press a random key?
Indeed
Ooo wow it must have been so special to see her play… so up close. I’m happy for you @mipiano that you made it in time. This is the concert you told me about, I know. But seeing a whole post from it… makes it truly special.
Wonderful… treasure the experience and time with your nieces. If they are still around.
Have a great time further. 👋🏻😁💃🏻
Thanks for sharing! Enjoy…
Thanks little girl for sharing the excitement with me :))
It was special, be sure. I was waiting for this but at the same time I could not believe I would indeed attend this concert. And when I was sitting there, I was still thinking, is it real? Do I dream? Hahaha
And when it finished... I really didn't like the fact it ended. I guess all good things have to end at some moment... isn't it sad actually?
I soooo can feel your excitement… 🤩🤩🤩 wonderful.
I can imagine that you didn’t want it to end. As it was so special, after all the time. And finally seeing her. Wow!!! Yes, all good things come to an end. But we have the memories… forever! And you documented it here. So it will live on 🤩😎
Happy to share it with you… here… I’m glad I didn’t miss your post 🤗🥰
Enjoy it…
She is an exceptional pianist! How fantastic it is to live that kind of experience. I once visited a Wilhelm Maler concert in a more or less similar hall.
Your tour is beautiful, and you do it through what you love in music. 🤩🙏🎶💥⭐✨🎼💯🤗🎊🙌🍻🎆🎉🎵
I am sure you also enjoyed your concert experience :))
This pianist is great, I can tell you! She is from Argentina, but has lived in Switzerland since her youth. Thanks friend for stopping by here ☺️
What an experience! I've always fantasized being at a concert, I'm yet to know when it will come to realization. Well, at least I get to see and read about people who had a good time at one.
81? Super cool to even know her age and she's as awesome as you've described.
I guess we would have to keep the secret of you being twice your nieces age a secret 😁
It was the best concert so far indeed, glad you all had fun ❤️
I do really hope you can visit and listen to a classical (or any other genre) music concert!
It is a completely different feeling than listening to a recording, believe me. The vibrations in the air, the sound that we perceive can not be compared to any recording...
Yes, please keep that secret 😂😎
I can imagine but I know imaginations won't cut it... I've got to have the experience firsthand 😅 I hope someday.
A secret it is! 😂
That sounds wonderful!
A long way to go, but you will also remember it for a VERY long time ! 😃
I want to get used to it, so here comes a Google translation.. 😁 is this correct?
¡Eso suena maravilloso! Un largo camino por recorrer, pero también lo recordarás por MUCHO tiempo
I will indeed remember it for a long time, I am pretty sure about that :))
Thanks for checking out Anke 🎶☺️
WoooW!. You guys really had fun. It's so amazing how she can still play well at 81 and it's also amazing what you can do just to enjoy music. Embarking on such a journey just to attend a concert is really a big deal but you didn't mind. I'm happy it was worth the time and stress. I just wish you took a picture with her . Thanks for sharing. It was nice reading this
Yayyyyy💃💃💃💃💃💃
You made it to concert and you saw the great piano diva....
I can feel that same joy as I read through @mipiano..
Seeing a legend such as Martha is a dream come through..
I'm glad you made it to the concert @mipiano..
Thanks, dear benii for sharing these feelings with me through this post. :)
Yes, I made it to the concert! It was indeed like a dream that came true and still today I have a smile on my face this happened 😇
😊😊🥰😍😍😊
You are very welcome !!
I read about her in your other post but it took until this post to actually Google....well YouTube her....so amazing thank you for this introduction to a new musical dimension.
New musical dimension... you mean her as a pianist and personality?
I missed to point out some impressions in my post. She is cool, in one word!
She was playing, the third movement of this Piano Concerto...and in one moment, when she was in the middle of one of the fast passages, she turned her head to the audience and looked towards the people. It was like saying: why you all are so surprised how do I play 😂 ? Her gaze made me smile immediately and I saw the same reaction in my niece's face :))
Thank you for checking out Martha Argerich 🎶
New musical dimension indeed as personality but also I am not to well reversed classically but I know my Chopin from Bach. But forgive me for lack of better words, I have heard very few classical pieces where the piano is leading or solo and I love piano (and keyboard but that is probably cursing below this article)
Oh, well, then I have a quest to bring more classical music to this Q-inspired corner :D
Maybe you will start to like it more... and get more into this genre 😀
Though I know how you like the piano, keyboards and covers :)))
Please do! I would love to here more but I have no clue where too look😬
I will, as soon as I can @whywhy
Maybe it will have to wait until I am back in Spanish lands, but maybe sooner 🎶
Paso a Paso enjoy your holiday I am already inspired to do some searching by myself as soon as work permits it!
For one for travel from home to a distant location to watch someone perform just screams enthusiasm and passion..really.
Reading through the part where you mentioned she was 81,I was like really anxious to hear what she'd sound like...
And to be honest... I was stoked. More like I was even shocked..
She is really amazing. You can hear the years of constant practice and experience as she holds each key.
My brother plays the piano and I know how beautiful it feels to just seat and listen to him play.. It's like a cool breeze hits you.
I bet you @mipiano can't get over that adrenaline rush as you saw her come up.
I know I can't when I listen to my brother play.
Thank you for sharing dear @mipiano
The magic will last forever in your memory :D . How nice and god educated is the people there, i like that. So Marthar still ROCKS :D thats the power of the music. What a great moment for you and for all the peoplet that enjoy the perfomrance of this artist, definitely NOTHING IS IMPOSIBLE WITH THE MUSIC :D