Ingrid Haebler plays Mozart
Recently I heard Ingrid Haebler perform the Mozart piano sonata #7, K. 309. And… I was ‘blown away”!!!
It’s been quite a while since I heard her perform; and I guess it pointed out a few key things about some of today’s pianists, as a group:
• So much of Mozart’s work is “over-performed”, and not performed well.
• As such, much of his work is being done without adequate feeling, and it sounds flat
• Part of the issue is that many of these pieces are technically not as challenging as, say, Rachmaninoff, and many ill-prepared pianists basically spoil Mozart’s work.
Not so, regarding Ingrid Haebler: What a poetic sound!! What a marvelous touch of the keys! And just listen to what she achieves as a result! Ms. Haebler presents exquisite phrasing, sensitive presentation of the melodic line, and seemingly complete dedication to the composer’s intentions.
Ms. Haebler began her musical training with her mother, and made her public debut in Salzburg at the age of 11. She then pursued her studies at the Salzburg Mozarteum (1940-1942; and 1948-1949) and at the Vienna Academy of Music. She was awarded the Prix de Virtuosite, 1951, and in 1952 she was co-winner of the 2nd prize at the Geneva Competition. She also won the Harriet Cohen Beethoven Medal in 1957.
It’s unfortunate that we don’t hear much from this artist any more. This CD is well worth your attentive listening.