Kit Armstrong

“Play as if your life depends on it” is Krystian Zimerman 's motto.
The Polish pianist is the absolutely unprecedented blend of overpowering passion and freedom, unfailing belief in what he is playing, and an extremely meticulous nature. But it is precisely this demanding nature that enables him to forget all other contingencies to give himself entirely to music: for him, it is out of the question to “only” play the piano. Each of his recitals is a musical event; in general one never knows what will be played (as Zimerman refuses to announce his programmes in advance, preferring to play the pieces that seem to him to be necessary at that particular time), but we know it will be a moment of rare emotion.