Martha Argerich,  one of the world’s greatest pianists, has extended her stay in Warsaw and will give an extra appearance tonight at the Chopin and his Europe Festival in Warsaw.

The publicity-shy pianist, now 69 years-old, will perform the second and third movements of Beethoven’s Violin Concerto in D major in the piano version on a historic instrument from Chopin’s times. The first movement will be played by Maria João Pires.

In the second part of the concert, the violinist Thomas Zehetmair is billed in Robert Schumann’s Concerto in D minor. The Orchestra of the 18th Century is conducted by Frans Bruggen.

Martha Argerich’s appearance, which was announced by the Festival Press Office shortly before noon, was received with enthusiasm by Polish music fans.

She was given a tumultuous ovation last Friday and Saturday, for her performances of Chopin’s Piano Concerto in E minor (with Sinfonia Varsovia under Jacek Kaspszyk) and of works by Chopin, Schumann and Debussy in a late-night chamber concert with the cellist Misha Maisky, which ended around 1 a.m. on Sunday.

The director of the ‘Chopin and his Europe’ Festival, Stanisław Leszczyński, describes Argerich as a living legend and a unique artistic personality. (mk)