The brilliant Maria Joao Pires

David Mellor turns the spotlight on the life and career of the renowned Portuguese pianist.

This week, David Mellor pays tribute to the great pianist Maria Joao Pires who has recently turned 70.

GALLERY: 10 facts about the great pianist > 

In what has become the stuff of legend, Pires famously managed to call on her extraordinary skill and memory when, during a concert, the orchestra began playing a different Mozart concerto from the one she was expecting, and she was forced to perform it at just a few seconds’ notice. Watch that moment here >.

David Mellor showcases some of her finest performances and explores a recently released 20-CD box set of her complete solo recordings for the Deutsche Grammophon label.