Magdalene Ho: an appreciation from Moritz von Bredow

Extraordinary, very idiomatic performance of Beethoven’s Bagatelles op 126 and Schubert’s late sonata in G.

Very subtle, amazing colours, the piano always singing, all pianissimi constantly without left pedal. Absolute control of rhythm and phrasing, beautifully chosen rubato, no kitsch, no wrong romanticising of expression, no exaggerations anywhere – very, very impressive. Beethoven had been completely deaf since 1819 (op 126 written in 1824), and his heavy heart which never succumbed to his depression was in Magdalene’s interpretation, and so was Schubert’s melancholy less than 2 years before his death – but he, like Beethoven, would always move on “against all odds”.

I spoke to the astonishing pianist Magdalene briefly before and after the recital, thanking her on behalf of the Keyboard Trust. She did not say much, but her eyes said all when I told her my deep impressions afterwards.

What an amazing, true artist! So shy, so quiet – and yet (as someone once said about Grete Sultan), at the piano she became a queen!

I also spoke to Maria Busch and Andrea Meyer-Borgwardt of Laeiszhalle as well as to Mrs Hiege of the Palmer Foundation. All were full of awe.

And the audience – so many bravos! One encore, perhaps Brahms (I did not ask).

Now I am off to Mark Viner’s second house concert tonight!

Much love, very dearly remembering John and thinking of Noretta.

Moritz xxx

Elbphilharmonie/Rising Stars – Magdalene Ho: Ihr Spiel entführt uns in ihre eigene Welt