Master Maurizio Pollini Cancels Korea Concert... "Due to Health Reasons"

Maurizio Pollini. Photo by AP

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Heeyoon] The legendary pianist Maurizio Pollini (80) has canceled his visit to Korea due to health reasons.

According to the performance industry on the 11th, Pollini's recitals scheduled to be held twice on the 19th and 25th of this month at the Seoul Arts Center Concert Hall have been canceled due to health reasons.

Before the performance, concerns about Pollini's health due to his advanced age continued, but the planning agency Mast Media stated, "We are concerned, but he has also been vaccinated against COVID-19 and there is no problem with his entry."

While Pollini had performed several times in Japan before, this recital was to be his first performance in Korea, so the audience's disappointment is expected to be deeper.

Regarding the sudden cancellation, Pollini sent a letter to the Korean audience saying, "I was looking forward to my first visit to Korea and the performance at the Seoul Arts Center, but unfortunately, due to my current health condition, I am unable to travel. Rescheduling the recital in Korea is my top priority, and I hope to meet Korean audiences as soon as possible."

Italian pianist Pollini made a brilliant debut in the music world by winning the Chopin Competition at the age of 18 in 1960. At that time, juror Rubinstein highly praised his performance, saying, "That boy plays better than us judges."

Earlier this year, in an interview with Italy's public broadcaster RAI, Pollini expressed his views as a performer, saying, "Pianists age, but they have music, which is an excellent antidote. It awakens the brain and keeps the hands agile. Pain passes over the keys, and years are forgotten."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.