Waiting for il Maestro of Maestros

A true master…….a line stretched and shaped as only a true master who dares to mount the tightrope can do.

A Haydn where every note spoke so eloquently.

But I was not prepared for a Schubert played with such true understanding and masterly control of line and colour.

He risked everything to transport us into the sublime world of the true Schubert of the lieder with a voice that was every bit as eloquent and moving as Fischer Dieskau.

Lucky people of Padua and what better way to share the terrible memory of this day in 1944.Five years before Petrushansky was born.

Greeted by an equally ecstatic Federico Colli and Leonora Armellini both distinguished disciples of this true Master as I ran with heavy heart for the train Just sorry that the last train out of Padua for Rome is at 20.10 and robbed me of the Prokofiev War Sonata n.6 which I heard him passing over just before the concert.

A standing ovation I am told by Lorella Armellini (the driving force behind so much music in Padua, with her husband ,director of the Conservatory and their daughter Leonora Armellini ,a true star amongst young pianists) with three encores including La Campanella and one of Tchaikowsky’s Stagioni

Better than nothing but I shall be first in the queue for any future performances.

He and Virsaladze are all that remains of the wonderful world that Neuhaus created.

Petrushansky was the last pupil of Neuhaus and although Virsladze did not study with him she was highly admired by his greatest disciple Sviatoslav Richter.

Could there be a better recommendation than that.