Ivo Pogorelich

The Profile

Ivo Pogorelich (born 1958 in Belgrade) is a Croatian concert pianist who gained international attention after the 1980 International Chopin Piano Competition controversy, when juror Martha Argerich resigned in protest. Known for highly individual interpretations, he has recorded extensively for Deutsche Grammophon.

Croatian pianist, born 1958 in Belgrade; student of Aliza Kezeradze; rose to fame after the 1980 Chopin Competition controversy; repertoire spans Chopin, Ravel, Prokofiev, Rachmaninov, Scriabin, and Beethoven; numerous recordings for Deutsche Grammophon.

A single, strongly critical review covers Ivo Pogorelich’s 13.04.2007 concert in Terni. The reviewer condemns his interpretations of Beethoven’s Op.111, Brahms Op.118/2, Scriabin Sonata No.4, and Rachmaninov Sonata No.2 for distortion, extreme tempos, and lack of coherence. Overall sentiment is highly negative.