MMM | Argerich and Barenboim in Buenos Aires

16 NOV 2025: In 2014, a memorable concert took place at Teatro Colón: Martha Argerich and Daniel Barenboim as a duo on two pianos, for the first time in their hometown!

At first glance, two artistic personalities could hardly be more different: Martha Argerich, who - once seated at the piano - can energise the concert hall with compelling virtuosity and ingenious impulsiveness, who dies a thousand deaths before she steps onto the stage, and who loves nothing less than to speak about herself and her art in public. And Daniel Barenboim, whose breathtaking array of activities; on the conductor's desk, at the piano, in politics and teaching, is accompanied by the joy of media communication.

Since their youth, the two have enjoyed an artistic friendship rich in magic moments of music. What happens when these very different personalities form a piano duo?

In 2014, a memorable concert took place at the Teatro Colón: The two superstars had already performed together almost everywhere in the world - but not in their hometown. Their first joint performance in Buenos Aires was a magic moment of music and a kind of folk festival in equal parts.

Elena Bashkirova, Daniel Barenboim's wife and a celebrated pianist herself, remembers how ‘the audience went completely wild’. Lang Lang, Gabriela Montero and Kian Soltani also share their thoughts.

The concert was an event even for Argerich and Barenboim, ‘because nowhere did they feel more at home than there’. During their stay in Buenos Aires, they go in search of traces of the places where they met as children.

And how does Daniel Barenboim himself remember the concert? He laughs: "It's totally easy with Martha. It's not like that with everyone. You can only fall in love with her."

Duration 43 / 52 min
English series title Magic Moments of Music
Original series title Sternstunden der Musik
Genre Music Documentary
Director Dag Freyer
Producer Lily Küntzle
Executive Producer Christopher Janssen
Production Company ZDF/Arte, sounding images
English title of music work W. A. ​​Mozart – Sonata for two pianos | Franz Schubert – Variations on an original theme | Carlos Guastavino – Bailecito | and more