Yuja Wang To Replace Martha Argerich In SSO Concerts Next Week

The legendary Argentinian pianist Martha Argerich has withdrawn from her visit to Sydney when she was to have performed with the Sydney Symphohy Orchestra conducted by Charles Dutoit.

In a statement to Sydney audiences, Argerich said: “Dear Sydney public, I am terribly sorry to disappoint you and my dearest friend and lifetime musical partner Charles Dutoit who is the father of our daughter Annie. This is a very important event, his anniversary, 40 years after his first visit to your beautiful country. I am unable to travel and play in this moment, feel very weak, exhausted and having physical pains that worry me, please excuse me! In this condition I am afraid to travel such a long way, I ask your forgiveness, to Charles Dutoit, to the orchestra and to you.”

The chemistry between Dutoit and Argerich is legendary and is still very much in evidence as experienced by SoundslikeSydney at a London concert last year when Argerich played the Schumann piano concerto with Dutoit conducting the Royal Philharmonia Orchestra.

The SSO announces that Yuja Wang will replace Martha Argerich. SSO Managing Director Rory Jeffes says the SSO is naturally disappointed that Argerich will not be able to make it to Sydney next week, whilst wishing her a speedy recovery on behalf of the orchestra and audiences. “We are so sorry our audience members won’t …. see Martha Argerich in Sydney in what would have been her Australian debut alongside celebrated conductor Charles Dutoit who is celebrating the 40th anniversary of his first visit to Sydney to conduct the SSO. “However, I could not think of a more thrilling replacement than that of 30-year old Yuja Wang and I extend my deepest thanks and the thanks and appreciation of our audiences to Yuja for stepping in at such short notice, performing the same work that audiences would have heard with Martha – Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No.1.”

All concert dates, times and program remain unchanged. All previously issued tickets for Martha Argerich’s Sydney concerts will now be valid on the same date/s for the Yuja Wang performances. For further information, ticket-holders should contact the SSO box office on 02 8215 4600.

YUJA WANG RETURNS Thu 29 June, 8pm Fri 30 June, 8pm Sat 1 July, 8pm

The programme: STRAVINSKY Funeral Song BEETHOVEN Piano Concerto No.1 FALLA The Three-Cornered Hat: Suites RAVEL La Valse Charles Dutoit, conductor Yuja Wang, piano