David Helfgott

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titian

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Has anyone heard his interpretations and have comments?

He's giving a concert here (3rd Rachmaninoff) and I don't know if it would be interesting to go there.
 
"The sad fact," Globe critic Richard Dyer concluded, "is that David Helfgott should not have been in Symphony Hall last night, and neither should the rest of us."

Detractors also questioned his mental ability to perform, but to them the most ire-provoking of all was the outrageous gap between the extent to which Helfgott is celebrated -- packed audiences at prestigious, respected venues like the Royal Albert Hall, the Sydney Opera House and the Seattle Opera House, and his musical talent, which many perceive as dismal. Salon writer Douglas McLennan may have the most perceptive explanation of this critical anger, writing that many are upset because "Helfgott ... has not won his celebrity through performances, but his performances through celebrity."

Copied from:http://inkpot.com/classical/helfgott98p.html
 
Critics COULD be wrong or there could be a conspiracy against Helfgott... I would go to the concert.
 
A few years ago I watched him live here in Portugal and enjoyed it very much.
His interpretations may not be the best in the world but it's sure worth to watch him playing.
He coughed and got up during the concert (the bench was sliding, he'd get up and push it back with one of his feet, always while playing) and came back on stage 11 times, playing 4 encores.
Interesting musician/human being!;)

Joana
 
I saw him at the Albert Hall years ago doing Rach 3 (it's his party piece!)...
And his playing wasn't perfect, quite a few bum notes, more grunting and weird noises than Glenn Gould, he even touched up the (lady) 1st violinist!
But it was a very passionate performance - you'd know it was his interpretation, which I think can be a good thing with so many classical musicians sounding like clones of each other.
My mother, who's been a piano teacher for 40 years, enjoyed it hugely, even though she could play the piece technically better!
 
titian said:
Has anyone heard his interpretations and have comments?

He's giving a concert here (3rd Rachmaninoff) and I don't know if it would be interesting to go there.
Click to expand...

Try to sneak in without paying. Pay afterwards if he played well
 
Yes, dB meter is a must, and if you get caught while sneaking in, just say that you are Helfgott and don't need a ticket. The good old I-am-the-artist trick.
 

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