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