VIDEO// Martha Argerich: Chopin Polonaise No.6

      
Martha Argerich was only twenty-four when she took the International Chopin Piano Competition by storm in 1965. Despite this, and despite her plethora of awards, I find people split into two groups when exposed to her playing. There are those who rever her as one of the greatest 20th century pianists, and then there are those who dismiss her fiery aggression as musical immaturity. Myself, I sit in the former congregation. On some pieces Argerich plays perhaps a little fast, but to call that a lack of depth is surely a hollow observation. Passion, vigour and that smile at 5:30 make Martha one of my favourite pianists, and her rendition of Chopin's Polonaise No.6 is nigh on perfect.