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| Pianist Ivo Pogorelich |
Controversial Yugoslavia-born, Croatian pianist Ivo Pogorelich, 61, has returned to play for Korean audiences after a 15-year long hiatus, pledging to show how his performance has evolved through time by playing sonatas by Beethoven.
"You could see my past and present at once. Those who are familiar with me and my music in the past will find out what has evolved over the years, and I hope that the younger audience who are unfamiliar with my name and playing will be able to see the various charms that my music world has," Pogorelich said in a recent email interview with The Korea Times.
The artist will play his favorite repertoire: Beethoven's piano sonata No. 11, Op. 22; Bach's English Suite No. 3, BWV 808; Chopin's 'Barcarolle' and prelude; and Ravel's "Gaspard de la Nuit" during his upcoming recital at Lotte Concert Hall in Seoul, Feb. 19.
Making his debut in 1981, Pogorelich, who last performed in Korea in 2005, has been avoiding the international limelight for many years for unknown reasons until recently, which many critics see as the impact of the death of his wife and musical mentor Aliza Kezeradze and his father. Since he became famous for making pianist Martha Argerich storm off the jury in protest for it dropping him from the final round of the International Chopin Competition in 1980, his reputation has been polarized and controversial. Last year, however, he released his first solo album in 21 years, putting an end to his long-time silence of more than 10 years and taking a move to expand his musical activities into Asian territories.
Recalling his late wife Kezeradze, someone who truly understood him, he said his relationship with her brought responsibility to his life and musical career.
"At one point people started calling me a genius and other exaggerated stuff which really made me laugh, as the real genius in my opinion was right next to me. Not only that, we were also married and were enjoying a family life with a child to raise, so it was all very responsible."
Meanwhile, he stressed the importance of playing Beethoven during the recital citing it is the 250th anniversary of the legendary musician's birth as well as that it represents the true pinnacle of high art.
"Beethoven and the piano is very particular. I am privileged to descend from a tradition that goes from Beethoven through Liszt to present day… still his music remains of unparalleled depth and every work of his is a discovery. In high art there is one reality... What looks easy and simple at first sight is often very complex and difficult to grasp."
He added that he respects Korean musicians for playing European classical music and Korean audiences for their classical music knowledge while urging them to enjoy his music emanating from the stage.
"I am very respectful of Korean musicians, those who like to play European classical music. Korea has always impressed me. The audience is extremely well educated and I admire the respect and devotion people bring to music. You can feel it when you enter a concert hall in your country!"
