If it's Tuesday, it must be Belgium

In February 1960, Jorge, in response to a question during an interview with Ruth Lafranz in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA - "What does it take to be a concert pianist?" - replied: 'It takes talent - you must have that. But it also takes the patience of Job, the strength of an elephant, the cunning of a fox and the tenacity of an ant.'

Well, his patience and tenacity paid off, and he finally made his début in Belgium in 1988. He told a newspaper (De Standaard, 25 May 1988) that he had never performed in Belgium ['because I have never been invited'] but in the autumn 'he will embark upon an extensive European tour with the BBC Symphony, which will include a date in Brussels/ Bruxelles.'​

In fact he had just played in Antwerp, Belgium’s stylish second city.

10 May 1988

deSingel, Antwerp, Belgium

​Mendelssohn, Beethoven, Franck & Bellini-Liszt

17 October 1988

Paleis voor Schone Kunsten, Brussels, Belgium [Festival van Vlaanderen]

Liszt 1 [+Dvořak, Symphony No.7 in D minor Op.70 (1885)]

BBC Philharmonic/ Bernhard Klee

Jacques van Deun in De Standaard (19.10.1988) noted that JB 'believes in this type of music and succeeds in elevating the concerto to a higher artist level, thereby making the work musically compelling. The elderly pianist's almost inevitable minor slips were of no consequence, as he still commands a powerful clear touch on his Baldwin piano, from which he is inseparable. There were, however, some minor issues with synchronisation between soloist and orchestra.'

---

Antwerp connections?

13 March 1988 (Sunday), Royal Festival Hall, London inc. Beethoven Sonata No.31 Op. 110 in A flat and Bellini/Liszt, Réminiscences de Norma. The programme says that Bolet plays a Baldwin piano supplied by Pianomobil Antwerp. (I attended this recital.)