The first impression is of a pianist of the physical stature of Ashkenazy where everything seems tailored to fit so perfectly at the piano. A hand with that curve and arch which is of a born pianist (actually a superbly trained one from an early age). But it was not only the physical stature but also the metaphysical with playing of such intelligence and simplicity that he was able to communicate the music directly from the page into sounds. An eclectic programme of Grieg and Poulenc turned out to be a continual discovery and delight, with playing of authority where each note played, seemed to belong in the right place at the right time such was the immediacy of communication!
