Mitsuko Uchida | 2017 International Festival Portrait

“The music should be that; you should just have the pure pleasure and joy and be open to it”

One of the most revered pianists, Mitsuko Uchida talks about living for music and the unpredictability of performing on stage.

Mitsuko Uchida performs a recital in the Usher Hall on 21 August as part of the 2017 Edinburgh International Festival.

The International Festival Portraits are a series of interviews with actors, choreographers, musicians, conductors, playwrights and directors talking about the art that they love. Don’t forget to subscribe to our channel to see the latest videos from the International Festival as they are released.

[grai]

I saw her at a concert in the foyer of the Wigmore Hall where she was attenting an Anna Prohaska concert and I plucked up my courage and went over and said hello and she said "oj hi!" she had mistaken me for somone else
I said "you don't know me I just wanted to say hello she explained that I looked like a cello player she knew
we chatted a little and I asked if I could shake her hand and she just smiled and said "oh you certainly can!"
So I look at her playing and now I treasure the thought that I've shaken such a gifted person's hand
I saw my chance and I was brave enough to take it!
She was just as magical and as kind as you would imagine her to be

[christopherd]

She's such an adorable human being.

[icylucy]

Never mind he background sound. What an utterly moving tribute to music!

[mersyphoto]

she bathes me with wonder. . we're so so lucky to have her.

[Daniel_Zalman]

I simply adore this woman. She makes a great distinction, she is both a pianist and a musician. Today, we have a lot of marvelous pianists, but few great musicians.

Mitsuko is a profound musician, and the seed of that profundity is her deep devotion and love for music. I've been to her solo recitals at Carnegie Hall the last two years and have always wanted to come up to her after the performance. I never go because I'm afraid I'd fall silent or saying something banal.

[adamdonovan]

The profound humanity of this woman is absolutely transformational.! She casts a spell! May each of us drink from the same well of health and vitality that she demonstrates.

[Madaduxum]

Great words from a great musician, talking about Verdi's Aida.

[Magnet]

please turn the background sound down!!!

[HT-]

I wonder if she aprpeciates Hiromi, because I am very sure that Hiromi appreciates her.