Sandstone Press

Mitsuko Uchida: post-perfomance addendum

Posted by RLD on 22nd September 2009

Mitsuko, of course, was wonderful. She appeared in wide black trousers and black sleeveless vest (very Japanese) topped by a blue, semi-transparent chiffon number (very European) that played with the light but left her forearms and hands free. When she bowed she did it the way the Beatles did in their early years – bending right over so that her mane of black hair fell to the ground in front of her. At least one audience member rose out of his seat and I am relieved to report that I did not actually have to be restrained.

At the piano she disappeared immediately into the zone to perform the three sonatas without interruption over about an hour and quarter. As a feat of memory alone this was astonishing. She had requested no applause until she was done but, then, of applause there was no shortage. Quieting the cheers with a graceful flick of her lovely wrist she said that, because she had noticed ‘a little accident’ in the middle of 110 she would play it again from the adagio all the way to the end. Anyone who wished to leave could do so. No one did. It was over all too quickly.

After a dozen or so encores I sussed she wasn’t coming back and dashed round to the stage door only to find I had been beaten to it by six other guys. There was no room in the puddle and I suspect they had camped out overnight for the privilege of keeping Mitsuko’s tiny feet dry. Too late anyway; just as I arrived her sexy tousle of black hair disappeared into the back of a large car to be driven all too quickly away.

Comfort was taken in Sante’s Restaurant from a pork sirloin and a half bottle of red wine. I have to admit I was consolable. Let’s face it, it was all gravy. If by some miracle you ever read this, Mitsuko, please come back soon.  This time though, when you get to Perth keep travelling north. We have a Steinway at Eden Court too.