Luis Magalhães
“I will go out of my way to catch a performance of theirs.”
– James Harrington, American Record Guide, on Luis Magalhães and Nina Schumann’s debut CD release Rachmaninoff: Complete Works for Two Pianos
Great Interpreters: Luis Magalhães
Broadcast on Fine Music Radio on 25 January 2013.
Podcast: Download (Duration: 1:57:48 — 107.8MB)
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Luis Magalhães is a pianist who needs little introduction to Cape Town, or indeed to South African audiences and whose performances here and abroad have been met with the highest critical acclaim.
I could wax lyrical about Luis’ technique, his musicianship, his sound, his seemingly effortless playing… all of which he has in abundance and then some (however much he likes to deny it). But for me, the one thing that I’ve always felt whenever listening to his playing, is a sense of hearing some aspect of a piece in a way that I have never heard it before: a musical phrase illuminated by the way in which he has shaped the musical line or an element of humour (a key characteristic of his personality) brought to bear on his interpretation of a piece that casts that work in some new light. These are for me the things that resonate the most when listening to his playing.
I had the opportunity to interview Luis at his home in Stellenbosch as he was preparing to jet off to Berlin for rehearsals for an upcoming recording project. In this special podcast, he shares his views on life, love and of course, music, and featured are recorded highlights from his career both on stage and on disc.
For a complete biography of Luis Magalhães or to view his complete discography, please visit TwoPianists Records.
Podcast Track List
1) Bagatelle No. 6 (Presto) from Six Bagatelles, Op. 126 (Beethoven)
Luis Magalhães (piano)
Recorded “live” on 8 October 2005 in the Endler Concert Hall, Stellenbosch.
2) Toccata in E Minor, BWV 914 (Bach)
Luis Magalhães (piano)
3) Etude No. 4, Op. 10 (Chopin)
Luis Magalhães (piano)
Recorded: 1993
4) Romance (Andantino) from Suite No. 2 for Two Pianos, Op. 17 (Rachmaninoff)
Luis Magalhães (piano)
Nina Schumann (piano)
From Rachmaninoff: Complete Works for Two Pianos (TP1039039), recorded in 2006.
5) Third Movement (Allegro vivace) from Piano Concerto No. 4 in G Minor, Op. 40 (Rachmaninoff)
Luis Magalhães (piano)
Arjan Tien (conductor)
Cape Philharmonic Orchestra
Recorded “live” on 25 November 2010 in the Cape Town City Hall.
6) Tarantella (Presto) from Suite No. 2 for Two Pianos, Op. 17 (Rachmaninoff)
Luis Magalhães (piano)
Nina Schumann (piano)
From Rachmaninoff: Complete Works for Two Pianos (TP1039039), recorded in 2006.
7) “Général Lavine – eccentric” from Preludes, Book II (Debussy)
Luis Magalhães (piano)
Recorded “live” on 30 July 2010 in the Endler Hall, Stellenbosch.
8) “Feux d’artifice” (Fireworks) from Preludes, Book II (Debussy)
Luis Magalhães (piano)
Recorded “live” on 30 July 2010 in the Endler Hall, Stellenbosch.
9) Prelude No. 17, Op. 34 (Shostakovich)
Luis Magalhães (piano)
Recorded “live” on 30 July 2010 in the Endler Hall, Stellenbosch.
10) “Lied” (Schlicht und innig, nicht zu langsam) from the Suite for Piano Left Hand and Strings, Op. 23 (Korngold)
Luis Magalhães (piano)
Benjamin Schmid (violin)
Suzanne Martens (violin)
Peter Martens (cello)
Recorded “live” on 13 February 2010, in the Endler Hall, Stellenbosch.
11) “Tico-Tico No Fubá” (De Abreu-Hamelin)
Luis Magalhães (piano)
Recorded “live” on 8 October 2005 in the Endler Hall, Stellenbosch.