This is an extensive and detailed account of Jorge Bolet during his three visits to Japan in the years 1946, 1976 and 1988 but it also examines the wider picture of his career at these times. Comments, corrections and additions are most welcome. Use the contact box (unless you already have my email).

"It has been a long time since we have heard in Lima a pianist of Bolet's stature." 9 June 1982 Auditorio, Colegio Santa Ursula, Lima Mendessohn, Fantasy in F minor Op.28 Schumann, Fantasy in C major Op.17 Schubert/Liszt, 5 Lieder (Auf dem Wasser au singen, Der Müller under der Bach, Der Lindenbaum, Aufenthalt, Erlkönig) Liszt, Mephisto Waltz Jorge's only recital that year in Lima, Peru, a recital arranged in association with Baldwin Pianos (Los Zorzalas 140, San Isidro, Lim

Mexico City, June 1982. Sala Nezahualcóyotl., Mexico City Franck, Symphonic Variations Rachmaninoff, Variations on a theme of Paganini

A newspaper review dated 26 May 1980 mentions a concerto with Armando Krieger and the Orquesta Sinfónica del Sodre (in Montevideo, Uruguay). It featured Uruguayan composer. León Biriotti's Symphony No. 3, "in memoriam Lauro Ayestarán" and Jorge playing Rachmaninoff 3 This score, which is important, dates back some 12 years (1968) and is only now being considered. The symphony, over 20 minutes long, masterfully utilizes rhythms and sound textures (it features a very rich percu

El Comercio (Lima, Perú), 23 July 1983 Jorge Bolet's second visit (after 1982) to Peru and the The City of Kings, Ciudad de los Reyes. Monday 25 July 1983 in the Auditorio Santa Ursula, Lima. He had arrived in Lima on Monday 18th at 5:20am. There were orchestral rehearsals on 20 and 22. This was a dangerous time to be in Peru. ​Sendero Luminoso, a notorious terrorist organisation, was orchestrating a brutal campaign for against the country. 23 July 1983 (Saturday) in Are

During a tour of South America in 1983, Jorge had two dates in Peru. He admited that some countries he visited were politically unstable and sometimes dangerous. However he also mentioned to his friend Mattheus Smits that these countries were known for having attentive audiences of some highly cultured people. I am aware of the general situation in Peru at this time, but I recently looked at the specific political situation in July 1983. and it was grim I need to confirm

14 November 1981 Kobacker Hall, Bowling Green State University, Ohio Mendelssohn, Schumann Fantasy, Schubert/Liszt Lieder, Mephisto waltz (as 11 Nov. 1981) ​​ Boris Nelson, in The Toledo Blade 16.11.81: 'Mr Bolet's brilliant playing has been honed to the very edge. His immense, virtuosity, experience, and sheer intelligence all concentrate on the music's lyricism. And being a romantic at heart, he envelops it with a luminous sound that whispers or propels into a sunburst of p

'I played for Bolet in Sydney when he was on tour (1969 or 70): Chopin's fourth ballade. He was very complimentary. When I asked him, do you play much Beethoven, he answered "You don't have to play Beethoven to be a good pianist". Then he proceeded to play me some Chopin-Godowsky....a lovely man.'

After the commercial success of the Encores record (recorded in March and December 1985 in St Barnabas' Church, Finchley, UK and issued in 1987), Decca had in mind to make another one. 'Jorge liked the plan a lot and we talked often about the repertoire,' says Mattheus Smits. Strauss/Godowsky, Fledermaus Weber/Godowsky, Invitation to the dance Moszkowski, Caprice Espagnol Lecuona, Cuban dances selections The fourth movement)of Carl Maria von Weber's Piano Sonata No. 1 in C m

Jorge Bolet Ambassador Auditorium Recitals 1981/86 coming soon on First Hand Records. 3CD set and streaming on all platforms.

"He knew he had to take the stage, to stride up to that huge instrument and take command. 'Remember,' he'd say, 'it's likely to kick back." Andrei Svetlichny, Boston Globe, September 1982 As ever, I am grateful to Mattheus Smits for providing information to this website. He has alerted my attention to this tribute (edited) to Jorge Bolet's tuner in the USA. A Memorial Died April 12, 1998 • Born February 19, 1957 Andrei Svetlichny, 41 Tuner of Concert Pianos for the Stars By

This list does not include Cuba. See also 1936-58 1974 In late 1974, Jorge was one of the judges on the Concurso Latinoamericano de Piano Teresa Carreño in Caracas, Venezuela. He made a number of concert appearances in Caracas. 1975 17 September 1975 São Paulo, Brazil Recital 19 and 21 September 1975 Teatro Municipal de São Paulo, Brazil Rachmaninoff's Paganini Variations OSESP (Orquestra Sinfônica do Estado de São Paulo) under Gerard Devos ​ 23 September 1975 [?] Rio de Ja

Another contender for Jorge Bolet's best review...

Página web: Clicc Bolet ofreció dos conciertos en la gran ciudad turca —antaño Bizancio, más tarde la legendaria Constantinopla y, desde 1930, oficialmente Estambul—. Los recitales tuvieron lugar los días 21 y 23 de junio, a las 21:30, en el Büyük Salonu (Salón Grande) del Centro Cultural Atatürk. El programa incluyó obras de Mendelssohn; la Sonata n.º 23 en fa menor, Op. 57 de Beethoven, conocida como Appassionata; el Prélude, Choral et Fugue de Franck —citado en turco como

¡No lo olvides! Hay una versión más corta de esta página web disponible en español. ¡Haga clic en el enlace! (El orador en el video no es real pero AI) Clases magistrales para BBC Scotland El 27 de febrero de 1983, Jorge interpretó el Concierto para piano n.° 3 de Rachmaninoff en el Usher Hall de Edimburgo, con la BBC Scottish SO y Bryden "Jack" Thomson, un brillante director escocés con una frase ingeniosa. Esto sería transmitido por la televisión de la BBC en el verano de

Jorge in cheerful mood entering the green room in the Philharmonie, Berlin before what turned out to be his last recital. (Photo: Mattheus Smits)

Jorge's masterclass in Edinburgh (early 1980s). "If my memory is correct, the masterclass took place in a school next to the Royal Botanic Gardens at Arboretum Road. Left from Jorge can be seen Elisabeth Kittel, right from Jorge you can see me [Mattheus Smits]; the small group at my right is of some of the students. If I am not mistaken, the student on my right-hand side is Santiago Rodriquez who became an important pianist." Photo: Mattheus Smits Elisabeth Kittel (1925-2020

The Age (Melbourne, Australia), 28 February 1987

Two reviews of the first Jorge Bolet concert I ever heard. At that time, I travelled up from Oxford for the evening and went backstage (of course) afterwards. I remembered being surprised to see him smoking (!) and he had a huge black overcoat/cape lying on a table, every inch the dapper gentleman from a past age.

First Hand Records is issuing a 3 CD set of Jorge Bolet's Ambassador Auditorium Recitals (Pasadena) 1981 and 1986 in autumn 2026, and for the cover they've chosen a photograph spotted on this website: Wilhelm Fröling's photo of JB in Paris (1988), kindly provided by Mathias Donderer with the agreement of the photographers family. Due for release 3 July 2026 In the Los Angeles Times (13 November 1981), Daniel Cariaga reviewed the first recital. Jorge Bolet reminded us onc