Morawetz work fascinating
[...]
Having won the Montreal
Symphony's $1,000 concerto competition in 1962 with his piano concerto, Morawetz was asked by the MSO who he'd like to premiere it the next year. Morawetz immediately
suggested Kuerti.
No, that wouldn't do, said the MSO. It had to be a Canadian, preferably a pianist from Quebec. The man chosen hadn't played publicly
for years.
Fortunately, he cancelled out two weeks before the premiere date. Kuerti stepped in, memorized the concerto in 10 days and gave a performance that brought bravos and a
long ovation from the audience and raves from all Montreal critics.
[...]
Like most of Morawetz's work, the concerto features no ventures into the farout.
Morawetz is no avant garde faddist.
But its use of orchestral colors is extraordinary. And the writing for the piano
last night gave Kuerti ample opportunity to show off his dash and virtuosity.
[...]
