By Lyn Bronson
Although Nelson Freire is a much acclaimed pianist enjoying sold out halls everywhere in Europe and South America, he is relatively unknown to audiences in the United States (although revered by pianists), except as an occasional duo partner with Martha Argerich. While he may not yet be universally recognized as a super star, it is clear that he has mini-cult status here, for approximately 500 enthusiastic fans turned out at Herbst Theater in San Francisco to hear a program similar to the one he performed in New York City last week.
Immediately preceding the recital, a representative of the presenting organization, Chamber Music San Francisco, came out on stage to remind us that this recital represented Nelson Freire’s solo debut appearance in San Francisco. He also announced a program substitution, for instead of opening with Mozart’s Sonata in A Major, K.311, he would open instead with Schumann’s Papillons.
