Memories of ABM performances

Pianist Béla Hartmann recently wrote with some memories of Arturo Benedetti Michelangeli.

"I'm writing to share my recollection of the recital ABM gave at the Kongresssaal in Munich in 1986 [Armella dates this to 26 and 28 April 1985], including the 2nd book of Debussy Préludes. In my memory he was his usual morose self but played a large number of encores, all of them Chopin Mazurkas, all of them slow and sad. I don't remember how many but think it was around 5-7. I recall being surprised that he seemed so glum and uninterested in the audience yet so generous with the encores."

This prompts me to add my own recollection.

I only ever heard ABM once live, and that was in Barbican Hall, London in March 1987 when he played Chopin's B flat minor sonata, Debussy's Images, Ravel, Valses nobles & Gaspard (I had to check up - I don't recall the Debussy).

I have a vivid memory of the clock ticking well past 7:30 pm, and no sign of the pianist; at 7:45, a lady appeared with a microphone and the audience collectively groaned, imagining he had cancelled, but she only reminded us that the taking of photography was strictly prohibited. Then at 7:50pm, ABM made his entrance but not from the usual side door, stage left - the central doors of Barbican Hall stage were flung open, and he levitated towards the piano!