See the relevant web page for further details

Latest additions at the top of this list

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As this site is now very large, and many with only a passing interest in JB may skip it, I've created a micro-site which offers a briefer view of Bolet's career.  It is still very much in development, but the link is here.  Please note that this present site will remain the main one, and the only one of the two which will be regularly updated.  [26.7.2023]

 

A new page has been added which will eventually contain the 13 short videos in Spanish of JB's life.  LAST YEARS is the first to be added. [22.7.2023]

 

I've taken the liberty of adding an unlisted YouTube video of the finale of Sgambati's Piano Concerto in G minor on the 1970 page: Jorge Bolet at the Arnhem Festival Holland in May 1974.  This was kindly supplied to me, and I've added it for its rarity value.   I was prompted to do this after rewatching a YT video (which may not be widely known) by Jon M Samuels & Joe Patrych [21.7.2023]

 

I've delved a little more into reviews of a disastrous concert August 1986 at the Edinburgh Festival. [20.7.2023]

 

Apparently JB's first tour of Canada was in October 1952.  A review is added [19.7.2023]

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A truly glowing review from recital in Ann Arbor, Michigan 28 July 1968. [19.7.2023]

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The Home page has been edited, with the addition of a two-part video of JB's life (covering years 1914-1959).  [17.7.2023]

 

A video has been added to the 1927 AT CURTIS page, thus completing 13 videos of JB's life.  At some stage, I may upload them as one complete video on YouTube.  [9.7.2023]

 

I've added a new page on Bechsteins/Baldwins but it is still work in progress.  Any help and information would be much appreciated. [13.5.2023]

 

A link to a recording of Rachmaninov 3 has been added to 1973. Post-concert festivities attracted the attention of the Indianapolis News' 'Don't Quote Me' column (written by David Mannweiler), this entry published on November 13th 1973: 'Frank Cooper, the Butler University music professor, wrote his old friend Jorge Bolet long ago and offered to take him out to dinner after his performance with the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra last Thursday. Bolet accepted and Cooper invited several people from the symphony and from the city's upper crust to join them at La Tour restaurant. After the pianist's outstanding concert, however, Bolet said he didn't want to go to La Tour. "Where do you want to go?" Cooper asked. Bolet made a suggestion that left blank expressions on the guests' faces, but finally they realized he was serious. And that's how a carload of people in full tuxedos and long gowns wound up at Steak-n-Shake drive-in on 38th Street, sipping strawberry milkshakes.'  [1.4.23] 

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In September 1983, JB was on a panel the Walter W. Naumburg International Piano Competition (1926) which awarded first prize to British pianist Stephen Hough.  'Mr. Hough, 21 years old, currently studies at the Juilliard School with Adele Marcus, a former winner of the Naumburg Prize.  The jury panel consisted of Jorge Bolet, Ruth Laredo, Gaby Casadesus, Martin Canin, Gilbert Kalish, Jerome Lowenthal, Jacob Lateiner, Edward Gordon and Nathan Schwartz.'  New York Times 28.9.83. [1.4.23]

 

Some interesting details about Andre Mertens added to the 1940s page.  [13.11.22]

 

I was surprised to hear JB say in interview that he thought there were TWO benefit concerts for him to go to Curtis, but I've just found info about a second in 1926 (see under Early Years/Farewell 1927 + Maria Jones de Castro)

[22.10.22]

 

I've added considerably more of a memoir (original in Spanish) to 1965-9 page.  It first appeared as a blog a few years ago and look genuine, but in 2009 it appeared in an official publication, so I've quoted much more from it and given a link to the original. 

[22.10.22, the day of Liszt's birth in 1811] 

 

A Swedish-American newspaper Vestkusten (17 November 1955) announces that JB will travel on MS Kungsholm for a tour of Sweden, Denmark, Holland and England.   (MS Kungsholm was a combined ocean liner / cruise ship built in 1953 by the De Schelde shipyard in Vlissingen, the Netherlands for the Swedish American Line.   On 18 October 1952 the ship was launched and christened MS Kungsholm by Princess Sibylla of Sweden.   During her time with the Swedish American Line she was used on transatlantic crossings during the northern hemisphere summer season, and on luxury cruises during the rest of the year.) Explains how he got to be in the RFH London in December!

[20.10.22]

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A few details of JB at Haydn festival in Eisenstadt 1978 and 1980 added. [19.10.22]

 

I've added a short film excerpt of JB from his Australia tour 1987 to the Final Years page.  It has always seemed to me a wonderful example of his art.  If you study or play the score at that point you appreciate what he is doing even more - the subtleties of touch, staccato, voicing of parts, even one or two added notes... [18.10.22]

 

The minutiae of South American/Caribbean concert tours in 1950s can be found at bottom of 1950s page.  [12.10.22]

 

A highly critical review of Bolet in Australia May 1965 has been added (Adrian Rawlins).   I cannot help but wonder whether JB's devotion to the Liszt Transcendental Etudes was in fact detrimental to his career.  They are not in my view top-drawer Liszt, and a bit wearing as a set of 12 for those not in love with piano technique. [11.10.22]

 

Under 1982, I've added an audio file of JB speaking about NOT seeing the Japanese exhibition in London! [7.10.22]

 

Edited video clip from BBC added to EARLY YEARS where JB talks about going to Curtis in 1983.  [29.9.22]

 

Review for 21 April 1979 added.  University of California Riverside recital, with some choice phrases! [6.9.22]

 

I've added a short recording on the EUROPE page, under 1937. JB in a recital on 12 March 1985, paying tribute to Eugene Ormandy.  (My thanks to Francis Crociata for this recording.) [28.8.22]

 

Sometime in 1984, perhaps during the month of May, JB made his only appearance in Peru.  Any more details most welcome! [28.8.22]

 

Delighted to have been able to add an advert for Bolet in Japan in May 1976 to the site.  [19.4.22]

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