The Portuguese pianist Maria Joao Pires, 80 today, became a global legend when, at a lunchtime concert in Amsterdam’s Concertgebouw in 1998, she heard the orchestra start up a different Mozart concerto from the one she was expecting to play.
Her face is a picture of panic and depression.
The conductor, Riccardo Chailly, tells her she can make the switch from memory. He said: ‘You’re going to do well.’
She replied: ‘I am going to try.’
Amazingly, she did.
The video went viral on Youtube in 2013.
Happy birthday, Maria.
The post The nightmare moment of a mighty pianist appeared first on Slippedisc.
%20and%20Schyler%20Vargas%20(Norman)%20on%20the%20Yellowstone%20River,%20August%202025%20Photo%20by%20Charlotte%20Mae%20Ellison.jpg?w=160&resize=160,160&ssl=1 "A River Runs Through It: Opera Montana is celebrating the 50th anniversary of Norman Maclean’s beloved elegy to family and fly fishing in Montana with a new opera by Zach Redler")
