Maurizio Pollini

Born in Milan, Pollini studied under Arturo Benedetti Michelangeli among others. In 1960 he won the Warsaw Chopin Competition. He is noted for his performances of modern pieces such as Pierre Boulez' Piano Sonata No. 2 as well as more traditional repertoire. He has conducted both opera and orchestral music, sometimes leading the orchestra from the keyboard in concertos.

Recordings

One of a handful of students of Arturo Benedetti Michelangeli, Pollini exhibits a precise technique and an emotional restraint that are reminiscent of the master. His early performances of Chopin were widely praised and won for him the Warsaw Chopin Competition in 1960 (where Argerich also competed). Excerpts from the competition are available on a CD from LaserLight 15961 and a second CD on Polskie Nagrania. These are cool, assertive, confident, and somewhat aggressive readings. Pollini also has recorded more Chopin in the studio for DG (for example, the Etudes on 413794, Preludes on 413796, and Sonatas on 415346). The earlier sets, in particular the Etudes and Preludes, are best for their clarity and direct approach. The later recordings are heavily edited and less persuasive.

Pollini's late Beethoven Sonatas, on DG 429569 and 429570, are very good. His late Schubert Sonatas, D 958, 959, and 960, on DG 427327 and 427326, are deft and restrained and show great insight.

Finally, Pollini is very much at home in the twentieth century. He has programmed music for piano and tape by Luigi Nono in recitals, and his recording of Stravinsky’s Three Movements from Petrouchka, the Prokofiev Sonata no. 7, the Boulez Sonata no. 2, and Webern Variations for Piano on DG 447431 is among the best available.

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