“You should never imitate yourself” – Martha Argerich

When Martha Argerich sits at the piano, she devotes herself to the music with heart and soul. Not a single note is banal, and no concert is ever a mere fulfilment of duties.

This special edition, released for the occasion of the pianist’s 80th birthday, combines some of Martha Argerich’s most impressive recordings. At the same time, it is testimony to the enormous musical and creative versatility with which she has succeeded in surprising audiences and critics alike.

The documentary film Bloody Daughter, containing film material from over the course of several decades, forms the centrepiece of this DVD collection, as well as being the key to the grandiose live recordings that follow.

Tender and withdrawn, she accompanies violinist Guy Braunstein on Fritz Kreisler’s famous Liebesleid (‘Love’s Sorrow’) whereas in Alexander Scriabin’s symphonic poem about the myth of Prometheus, she seems to elicit the entire creative force of the Fire Bringer from the keys.

DVD 1 & 2: Bloody Daughter – A film by Stéphanie Argerich (148 mins)
Including Frédéric Chopin Piano Concerto no.1 performed by Martha Argerich in Warsaw

DVD 3: Classic Archive – A Martha Argerich Celebration (62 mins)
Recorded live in Guildhall, Preston and Fairfield Hall, Croydon, 1977

DVD 4: Piano Duos and Concert from the Teatro Colón, Buenos Aires (120 mins)
Martha Argerich (piano), Daniel Barenboim (piano), West-Eastern Divan Orchestra / Daniel Barenboim
Live from the Teatro Colón, August 2014

DVD 5: Martha Argerich & Guy Braunstein – A Romantic Take (85 mins)
Martha Argerich (piano), Guy Braunstein (violin)   
Live from the Pierre Boulez Saal, Berlin, February 2020

DVD 6: Prometheus (57 mins)
Martha Argerich (piano), Berliner Philharmoniker / Claudio Abbado
Recorded live at the Philharmonie Berlin, 23-25 May 1992

Picture format: 16:9 – NTSC (DVD 3 in 4:3 – NTSC)
Sound format: PCM Stereo, Dolby Digital 5.1, DTS 5.1
Region code: 0 (worldwide)
Running time: 472 mins
Subtitles: English, French, German, Spanish
Production years: 1977-2020