One of the great Bach interpreters at the keyboard, Martins shifted to conducting when it became no longer possible to continue his career as a concert pianist as a result of injuries and the condition of focal dystonia (which also affected the late Leon Fleisher). You can read in much greater detail here about the musician’s epic struggles and the love of music that has kept him going.
I had the honor of writing the program notes for his Carnegie Hall concert, which will present the following program:
J.S. Bach: Brandenburg Concertos 1 and 3
“Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring” from the Cantata Herz und Mund und Tat und Leben BWV 147
(arranged by Heitor Fujinami)
Heitor Villa-Lobos Prelúdio from Bachianas Brasileiras No. 4 W264 – 424
André Mehmari Portais Brasilerios No. 2 (Cirandas)
Filed under: Bach, music news, pianists
MEMETERIA by Thomas May 