Martha Argerich, a legendary classical pianist with six decades of career and numerous accolades (including being a commander of the Legion of Honor and the Order of Arts and Letters in France), has never particularly enjoyed performing solo recitals. She has often expressed in interviews that she feels “isolated” or “abandoned” in this format, preferring the sensation of “making music with friends.”
A strong sense of camaraderie is felt with Dong Hyek Lim, whom she has followed since he became the youngest winner of the international Long-Thibaud competition in Paris at the age of 17 in 2001. After being the youngest student at the Moscow Conservatory, she included him in her “Martha Argerich Presents” series for EMI label or in the programming of her festival in Lugano, Switzerland.
However, in 2026, this mentorship relationship has evolved, especially since Dong Hyek Lim has received high praise for his recordings of Chopin and Bach. As accomplished musicians, both are expected to perform in Bordeaux in a partnership that Martha Argerich applauds for its closeness and coordination: the same enthusiasm, spontaneity, and willingness to take risks in tempo and intensity levels.
