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Beethoven's last, Michelangeli's first,

  • Douglas Cairns
  • 3 days ago
  • 1 min read

Arturo Benedetti Michelangeli gave his first performance of Sonata No. 32 in C minor Op.111 on 29 January 1937 in Brescia.


Of a later performance, 'we read in the Popolo di Brescia by critic Antonio Grassi on December 31, 1937:


"Certainly Benedetti's interpretation is flawless, especially in the second part where the artist's power of penetration and translation must struggle against the sublime, but Beethoven would have caressed the head of this boy so bold and so talented, that is, supported by two wings that can carry so much upwards."


"Di certo è senza pecche l'interpretazione del Benedetti, specialmente nella seconda parte [Sonata op.111] dove il potere di penetrazione e di traduzione dell'artista deve lottare contro il sublime, ma Beethoven avrebbe accarezzato la testa di questo ragazzo così ardito e così bravo cioè sostenuto dalle due ali che possono portare molto in su."

Antonio Armella, I concerti di Arturo Benedetti Michelangeli (2025), p.16

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