Memory Book for Alicia De Larrocha
Share your memories and donate in the name of Alicia De Larrocha

It was a long time ago that I heard Alicia De Larrocha in the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam/Netherlands while she was playing Goyescas by Granados. I was really moved and impressed by the way she played that technically very demanding work. Later on I listened to interpretations on CD of other works by Granados, like the Allegro the Concierto, and Iberia by Albeniz. Also i liked her interpretations of many ohter works, like Mozart Beethoven and Schuman.
I was really shocked hearing about her death, and i will always remember her wonderful playing. Some people were astonished that she played heavy concerto's like Brahms 2 and Rachmaninoff 3, but if you look to the score of Goyescas, you understand that she was able to play anything. Like Horowitz she was able to play "strong" Bass acords and she also changed notes or added doubled basses, if she found this was sounding better, like in the Spanish Dance nr. 7 by Granados. but her understanding of this music was so good that i can imagine that she did.
I hope she is living for ever in heaven, and i will always treasure her concerts in the Netherlands and the records i still have of her performances.
Pieter Hagen / Amsterdam

Posted by: Pieter G. Hagen - Amsterdam - Music Lover   Jan 01, 2010