Nelson Freire, Pianist Extraordinaire (1944-2021)
November 17, 2021 3:57 PM Subscribe
Nelson Freire, a reclusive pianist whose fabled technique and sensitive, subtle musicianship made him a legend among pianophiles, died on Monday at his home in Rio de Janeiro. He was 77... That Mr. Freire was indeed a master pianist had never been in doubt. A child prodigy, he gave his first performance at 4 and was attracting attention at international competitions before his teens. His playing had a wisdom that critics rarely failed to describe as innate. (NYTimes Obit)
Among those acquainted with his recitals and recordings, Mr. Freire was regarded as a pianist of consummate musicianship — one who sat stoically at the keyboard, dispensing with any theatrical flourishes of the hand or head and delivering invariably refined performances of works at the heart of the classical canon... A shy person, he appeared uncomfortable in the spotlight of publicity, once recalling his manager’s rueful remark that they had managed to build Mr. Freire’s career despite his best efforts to hinder it. A fear of flying somewhat constrained Mr. Freire’s international travel schedule, although he did give dozens of performances around the world every year. Those appearances, along with his many recordings, helped forge his reputation as one of the finest pianists of his generation. (Washington Post Obit)
For many, Nelson Freire was seen as Brazil's greatest ever pianist. He began playing around the age of three, first being taught by Lucia Branco, a former student of Arthur de Greef, a pupil of Liszt. In 1957 at around 13 years old, he won a grant at the Rio de Janeiro International Piano Competition with a performance of Beethoven’s Emperor Concerto. This propelled his career forwards, soon moving to Vienna to study with Bruno Seidlhofer, teacher of Friedrich Gulda. Seven years later he won the Dinu Lipatti Medal in London and first prize at the International Vianna da Motta Competition in Lisbon. (Pianist Magazine Obit)
Many became aware of Freire’s exceptional artistry through his partnership with another South American pianist, the Argentinian Martha Argerich, with whom he toured extensively and recorded over many years, including a live recital from the Salzburg Festival in 2009. Freire was 15 when they met – Argerich a few years older – and the two became lifelong friends. (Guardian Obit)
Videos of Feire:
Nelson and Martha Argerich hanging out, talking and playing music
Argerich, Freire - Rachmaninoff - Suite No 2, Op 17
Nelson Freire: Frédéric Chopin – Berceuse in D flat major, Op. 57 (Munich, 1983)
Chopin Scherzo No.2 in B flat minor Op.31
Nelson Freire Interview on his love of piano, cinema and jazz
Rachmaninoff Piano Concerto n2
Nelson Freire ~ Beethoven Piano Concerto no. 5, Emperor ~ 2008
Mozart - Sonata No.11 (K.331)
BONUS: Nelson and Martha share a cigarette and listen to young pianist Mauricia Vallina play Bach
Among those acquainted with his recitals and recordings, Mr. Freire was regarded as a pianist of consummate musicianship — one who sat stoically at the keyboard, dispensing with any theatrical flourishes of the hand or head and delivering invariably refined performances of works at the heart of the classical canon... A shy person, he appeared uncomfortable in the spotlight of publicity, once recalling his manager’s rueful remark that they had managed to build Mr. Freire’s career despite his best efforts to hinder it. A fear of flying somewhat constrained Mr. Freire’s international travel schedule, although he did give dozens of performances around the world every year. Those appearances, along with his many recordings, helped forge his reputation as one of the finest pianists of his generation. (Washington Post Obit)
For many, Nelson Freire was seen as Brazil's greatest ever pianist. He began playing around the age of three, first being taught by Lucia Branco, a former student of Arthur de Greef, a pupil of Liszt. In 1957 at around 13 years old, he won a grant at the Rio de Janeiro International Piano Competition with a performance of Beethoven’s Emperor Concerto. This propelled his career forwards, soon moving to Vienna to study with Bruno Seidlhofer, teacher of Friedrich Gulda. Seven years later he won the Dinu Lipatti Medal in London and first prize at the International Vianna da Motta Competition in Lisbon. (Pianist Magazine Obit)
Many became aware of Freire’s exceptional artistry through his partnership with another South American pianist, the Argentinian Martha Argerich, with whom he toured extensively and recorded over many years, including a live recital from the Salzburg Festival in 2009. Freire was 15 when they met – Argerich a few years older – and the two became lifelong friends. (Guardian Obit)
Videos of Feire:
Nelson and Martha Argerich hanging out, talking and playing music
Argerich, Freire - Rachmaninoff - Suite No 2, Op 17
Nelson Freire: Frédéric Chopin – Berceuse in D flat major, Op. 57 (Munich, 1983)
Chopin Scherzo No.2 in B flat minor Op.31
Nelson Freire Interview on his love of piano, cinema and jazz
Rachmaninoff Piano Concerto n2
Nelson Freire ~ Beethoven Piano Concerto no. 5, Emperor ~ 2008
Mozart - Sonata No.11 (K.331)
BONUS: Nelson and Martha share a cigarette and listen to young pianist Mauricia Vallina play Bach
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posted by jim in austin at 5:10 PM on November 17, 2021
posted by jim in austin at 5:10 PM on November 17, 2021
The Chopin piece gave me a wet eyelid. I've been awash in bad music lately and this is a wonderful artist who I was never aware of. Thank you for this post.
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posted by jabo at 7:14 PM on November 17, 2021 [2 favorites]
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posted by jabo at 7:14 PM on November 17, 2021 [2 favorites]
It's bitter sweet to learn about a fantastic artist only upon their death. But, well worth it. Thanks!
(This random internet search result with Argerich is also great fun.)
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posted by eotvos at 6:15 PM on November 18, 2021 [1 favorite]
(This random internet search result with Argerich is also great fun.)
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posted by eotvos at 6:15 PM on November 18, 2021 [1 favorite]
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If you listen to that album, I ask you to listen for his delicate phrasing and incredible ability to draw out a simple melody from a flurry of notes; his ability to draw the listener's attention effortlessly here and there. It's even better to follow along in the sheet music, if you have it, and marvel at the things he has seen there that are invisible to mortal eyes.
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posted by dbx at 5:06 PM on November 17, 2021 [10 favorites]