Leif Ove

Andsnes

I / II

The young Norwegian pianist has since his international recording debut in 1990 released numerous highly acclaimed discs, varying from Janacek, Nielsen and Grieg through Chopin and Schumann to Haydn. A particular fidelity towards the music and impeccable taste has won him numerous prizes, including a recent Gramophone award. He is one of his generation's most admired pianists.

Anne-Sophie

Mutter

Since her rise to fame after the Salzburg Festspiele of 1977, Anne-Sophie Mutter has been among the worlds finest violinists. Her repertoire is wide, ranging from Vivaldi and Bach, through Beethoven, Mendelssohn and Brahms to Bartok, Berg and Stravinsky. I personally have a particular affinity with her 20th. century repertoire, which proves her status as one of the leading performers of music from our own near past.

Martha

Argerich

I / II

Martha Argerich is the greatest living pianist. Her contribution to the world of music, from her international recording debut in 1961 is beyond praise. She has played and recorded extensively, everything from Bach to Messiaen. She is still recording, having recently given us the Chopin concertos, live Mozart and Beethoven concertos, and a scintillating recital ranging from Bach to Ginastera and Prokofiev. Martha Argerich is not only still going strong, she is greater than ever, continuing to shower us with spinechilling pianism.

Mitsuko

Uchida:

The Schubert Recordings

Japanese pianist Mitsuko Uchida has been an admired exponent of core repertoire be it Mozart, Beethoven or Schumann. Her interests however, stretch beyond the classical and romantic titans, making her one of the most noted scholars and performers of Schoenberg. Here I wish to express my admiration for her dwellings into the pianomusic of Franz Scubert. Since the first volume containing the Impromptus, the series has developed from being most promising into one of the most noteworthy visions of the magical Schubertian universe.