Reviews of Special Events

Cycle of Mozart complete solo piano works at Cadogan Hall

“Last Friday, Martino Tirimo concluded his series of eight Cadogan Hall recitals that embraced the solo piano works of Mozart in their entirety. Those who missed them will be gratified to know that a 12-CD set has been released.
Tirimo's playing is so without affectation: the listener's awareness rests in the music, not in its performance. Even in the Fischer Variations K179, demanding in terms of virtuosity, the flowering of forms out of such a bland and unpromising theme allowed us a glimpse of the composer's own creative genius at work.
Greatest of the evening's contrasts was the Fantasie [K457]. Tirimo's subtle shifts in tempo and dynamic gradation revealed a world unrecognisable in place or time. The startling tonal contrasts, growling bass and languorous resignation in the D major second section before the fateful final return - this music must be allowed to speak for itself. Tirimo's intimacy with it, and his mastery of execution, allowed us to hear it as Mozart wrote it.” The Independent (5 stars)

Beethoven Piano Concerto Cycles

“The pianist Tirimo enthralled us with superlative versatility. His enormous pianistic achievement alone demands respect, but no less impressive was the clarity of inspiration which Tirimo - whether visibly conducting or not - communicated to the orchestra... extraordinary music-making. The musical intentions of the partners were fused into an audible unity... Two great evenings with thunderous applause.”  Sächsisches Tageblatt Dresden

“Extraordinary indeed were the first two concerts of the Series, with a remarkable star: Martino Tirimo. He has pronounced personal qualities which were manifest in his superb piano playing and also in his imaginative control which he communicated to the orchestra. This breathtaking rapport between soloist and orchestra was indeed the most wonderful experience... an offering which was very unusual and which correspondingly produced a sensation.” Dresden Union

“He (Tirimo) proved himself to be a brilliant and sensitive pianist at the same time as being an inspiring orchestral conductor.”  Sächsische Zeitung Dresden

At the Royal Festival Hall, London

“Soloist and orchestra, after several performances in Dresden and elsewhere, have established a unified attitude towards their reading. In the Third and "Emperor" Concertos on Friday night, the clarity of textures, lean sonorities and avoidance of anything that smacks of a rhetorical gesture led to authentic-sounding interpretations.”  The Daily Telegraph

“It was an evening when Beethoven spoke with unusual directness and ease. The wonder was that Martino Tirimo, directing the Dresden Philharmonic Orchestra from the keyboard in Beethoven Concertos, so readily made the procedure seem so natural. He communicated directly, focusing on the composer not himself. Fresh and sparkling as his account of the Third Concerto was at unforced speeds, he rose even more impressively to the extra challenge of the Emperor Concerto.”  The Guardian

Schubert - The 21 Piano Sonatas

“A triumphant new series.”  The Guardian

“One of the achievements of the 1997 Schubert year.”  The Daily Telegraph

“It will be keenly sought after by collectors.”  The Gramophone

“Martino Tirimo is at present engaged in performing the complete Schubert piano sonatas at Wigmore Hall, all of them being recorded by the BBC for future transmission, which is of considerable interest, for Mr Tirimo is quite simply an ideal Schubert interpreter... inhabiting the poetic world of each [sonata] with absolute conviction and projecting that world with touching simplicity via the technique of the most sophisticated mastery, for Schubert, the perfect confluence of interpretative qualities, yet so rarely heard.

Mr Tirimo's performances were firmly based on a perfect understanding of the lyrical quality of the composer's symphonic thought, the dramatic structure emerging from song, and his handling of the singing quality of the sonatas' basic material was relaxed, radiant, yet suggested the coiled spring, so that the literally tremendous development in the "Reliquie's" first movement could move from disarming simplicity to greatest power by the most natural path imaginable”  Anthony Payne, The Daily Telegraph

Tirimo as conductor

“Tirimo, the conductor and Schubert scholar, got right to the heart of the 'Unfinished'. The two-movement symphony, under his direction, became a thrilling experience.”  Dresden Union

“The powerful inspiration that an orchestra could derive from a musician of Tirimo's stature was further revealed in Schubert's B minor symphony. Under conducting of such complete insight the musicians of the Philharmonie rose to magnificent heights: I have rarely heard them play so well.”  Sächsische Neueste Nachtricten

“Orchestra and public were fascinated by his authoritative and elegant conducting. A freedom and deep inner joy could not have been more happily intensified in Dvorak's symphony No.8 in G major op.88 - what a thrilling development towards belief in hope, confidence and rejoicing, right to its tempestuous dancing finale!”  Sächsische Zeitung

“Whenever Martino Tirimo steps onto the platform of the Dresdner Philharmonie, the musicians prepare themselves for great achievements... a glowing testimony to Tirimo the masterly musician and inspiring conductor. He revealed an outstanding feeling for Mozart's sound-world... (in the Haffner symphony) Tirimo displayed remarkable conducting skills and presented the symphony with refreshingly musical sonority and spirit - a totally successful performance, which was deservedly loudly applauded.”  Dresden Union

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