Behind the smooth eloquence of his playing, there always resides a wistful and melancholic tone, sometimes even something fragile, delicate, wounded. One might say that the soul sings through his playing. It is the finesse of musical communication that shines through, not mere keyboard thunder. In short, Emanuel Ax could rightfully be described as a gentleman at the piano. As such, he early on engaged with the works of the classical repertoire, with Haydn, Mozart, and Beethoven. What is particularly striking is the dynamic range of his interpretations, a remarkable transparency, and coherence of expression. Ax would never burst the given framework of a piece or seek momentary effects; rather, he discovers the peculiarities and characteristics within the music and seeks what holds this innermost together. In short, it is the essence that interests him, that inner brilliance of which the poet Rilke speaks.