Magic Moments of Music | Martha Argerich & Daniel Barenboim in Buenos Aires

At first glance, two artistic personalities could hardly be more different: Martha Argerich, who – once seated at the piano – can energise the concert hall with compelling virtuosity and ingenious impulsiveness, who dies a thousand deaths before she steps onto the stage, and who loves nothing less than to speak  about herself and her art in public. And Daniel Barenboim, whose breathtaking array of activities; on the conductor’s desk, at the piano, in politics and teaching, is accompanied by the joy of media communication. Argerich, who is shy in public and so extroverted at the piano. And Barenboim, who radiates the aura of the self-assured maestro and who – especially as a soloist at the piano – captivates the audience with his art of contemplation, introspection and with his quiet tones.

Since their youth, the two have enjoyed an artistic friendship rich in magic moments of music. What happens when these very different personalities form a piano duo?

In 2014, a memorable concert took place at the Teatro Colón: Martha Argerich and Daniel Barenboim as a piano duo on two pianos. The two superstars had already performed together almost everywhere in the world – but not in their hometown. Their first joint performance in Buenos Aires was a magic moment of music and a kind of folk festival in equal parts.

Elena Bashkirova, Daniel Barenboim’s wife and a celebrated pianist herself, remembers how ‘the audience went completely wild’. The concert was an event even for Argerich and Barenboim, ‘because nowhere did they feel more at home than there’.  Kian Soltani also remembers the electricity that was in the air that evening, as he was on stage for a piece with an extended orchestra that night. Lang Lang and Gabriela Montero have performed with these artists themselves, also as a piano duo, and talk about what makes the special musical chemistry between Martha Argerich and Daniel Barenboim. The ‘Geister Duo’ – the winners of the ARD Music Competition 2021 – give insights into the special art of playing as a piano duo.

During their stay in Buenos Aires, Argerich and Barenboim went in search of traces of the places where they met as children.

And how does Daniel Barenboim himself remember the concert? He laughs: “It’s totally easy with Martha. It’s not like that with everyone. You can only fall in love with her.”