Arturo Benedetti Michelangeli had an aura and mystique on stage that perfectly complemented his effortless pianistic perfection. His personal life was shrouded in mystery often leading to wild rumor and speculation. Stories about his need for perfectly tuned and regulated instruments abound, and one never knew id he would play a scheduled recital or cancel at the last moment being dissatisfied with the instrument provided. All of this, however, was secondary to what he accomplished at the instrument in recitals and recordings. Arturo Benedetti Michelangeli remains such a legend today as he did during his lifetime. In his playing he stressed the importance of tonal quality and tried to eliminate the percussiveness of piano sound, but ultimately it was his piano playing and artistic integrity that set him apart.
Beethoven: Piano Sonata No. 11 in B flat major, Op. 22 / Piano Sonata No. 12 in A flat major, Op. 26 'March Funebre' Brahms: Ballades (4), Op. 10 Schubert: Piano Sonata No. 4 in A minor, D537
