Mitsuko Uchida

January 16, 2010 9:22 AM

Three-time Gramophone Award winner, Dame of the Empire, and, by consensus, the world's greatest living performer of Mozart's keyboard works, Mitsuko Uchida also gives great piano face.

Here she can be seen playing Chopin's Etude Op. 10, No. 2, discussing the Schumann Piano Concerto, and meeting a groupie.

posted by Joe Beese (13 comments total)

She is a complete and total badass. Thank you for this, Joe.
posted by koeselitz at 10:05 AM on January 16, 2010

I love Mitsuko Uchida! Someone gave me her Complete Mozart Piano Sonatas when I was in college... she's so fantastic.
posted by ocherdraco at 10:56 AM on January 16, 2010

This is one of my favorites.
posted by uni verse at 10:58 AM on January 16, 2010 [3 favorites]

Hell yes, I love her playing. I've never heard a better performance of Debussy's Etudes than the one she recorded. I can't even hear notes when I listen to it, just gestures.
posted by invitapriore at 12:01 PM on January 16, 2010

Nodame?
posted by rikschell at 12:35 PM on January 16, 2010

Excellent, thanks Joe Beese! That's a wonderful clip too, uni verse. Love the 20th, I'll have to get this version.
posted by carter at 12:44 PM on January 16, 2010

When I read "piano face," I pictured more teeth.
posted by Kirth Gerson at 1:39 PM on January 16, 2010

I'm glad the "piano face" link had nothing to do with Lady Gaga.
posted by horsewithnoname at 2:20 PM on January 16, 2010 [3 favorites]

Awesome, awesome post Joe Beese. Thank you.
posted by lazaruslong at 3:35 PM on January 16, 2010

The K.545 - such poise, such focus! I suppressed a cough while she was playing, I shit you not.
posted by facetious at 5:54 PM on January 16, 2010 [2 favorites]

She does Schoenberg as well.
posted by phrontist at 2:29 AM on January 17, 2010

Another must see: MITSUKO UCHIDA Beethoven Piano Concerto No.3 pt 1, pt 2, mvmnt 2
posted by uni verse at 1:08 PM on January 17, 2010 [1 favorite]

Wow. I would listen to Mitsuko Uchida discuss cucumbers, if I could.
posted by caseymichael at 6:11 PM on January 18, 2010 [1 favorite]