Last night, igor levit embarked on his beethoven sonatas cycle at the wigmore hall. Igor levit is, along with daniil trifonov, the pianist du jour. Those who are searching for perfection can stop here. Bachs goldberg variations, beethoven s diabelli variations, and frederic rzewskis variations on the people united will never be defeated. At barely 26, igor levit may be a trival too young to consider tackling the highest peaks of the piano repertoire, beethovens last piano sonatas. Igor levit igor levit bach, beethoven, rzewski 2015. The pianist igor levit has shown an inclination toward big virtuoso repertory. This album, a recording of beethoven s monumental five late sonatas, is levit s debut, and it displays levit s ability to play with extraordinary depth, balance, finesse, and.
Igor levit plays variations by bach, beethoven and rzewski. Following his landmark recordings, beethoven the late piano sonatas and bach partitas, both of which has won him international acclaim, igor levit is now tackling another three major works. Album bach, beethoven, rzewski, various composers by igor. Igor levit, a pianist for polarizing times the new. Beethoven program played by the acclaimed russian pianist. In the middle, awardwinning pianist igor levit performed beethovens groundbreaking third piano concerto in spectacular style. In a piano recital at the tonhalle in zurich, on 20141021, igor levit played beethovens piano sonata op. This twocd recording of beethovens late piano sonatas op. Levit brings his exquisite technique and thrilling interpretations to famous piano sonatas that display beethovens turbulent genius, and the development of his compositional style for the piano. Lauded for his disc of the goldberg variations and diabelli variations and rzewskis the people united will never be defeated, and with a slew of critical superlatives for his debut disc of late beethoven piano sonatas, levit is a pianist who concerns himself with the most serious edifices of piano literature, while trifonov. Bbc radio 3 new generation artist plays bach duration. Each sonata reveals fresh facets of invention, with jawdropping pianistic effects allied to formal structures of extraordinary ingenuity. I listened to levits performances and was even more deeply thrilled. Nothing he has done, however, is comparable to this giant effort, comprising three ambitious and extremely difficult variation sets.
It is the second release by the 27yearold pianist, whom many regard as the greatest talent of his time, on sony classical. He made a stunning debut with beethovens last five sonatas, and followed up with excellent albeit not extraordinary readings of bachs six partitas. This new album would well be evidence that the 21st centurys first piano giant has set foot on stage eventually. Julia fischer and igor levit enthrall in beethoven in zurich by sarah batschelet, 12 january 2016 the young musicians couldnt have been better partners, joining in a stunning force of emotive power, and setting a degree of excellence as fine as many of us had ever heard in this hall. I have praised many sets of the last five beethoven piano sonatas, and i wouldnt want to withdraw any of the plaudits i have given them, but this set, the first solo recording from russogerman pianist igor levit, sets a. Russianborn levit was only 26 when he recorded but so assured is he and so wise in his playing that age becomes immaterial. Born in gorky now nizhny novgorod, levit began playing piano at age three, and as a child he had his first successes on the concert stage in his hometown of nizhny novgorod. Igor levit, who makes his carnegie hall debut this week, shares a favorite page from beethovens diabelli variations. Igor levit sony classical because beethovens last five piano sonatas still carry a kind of valedictory air, its often thought that one needs to reach a certain age before taking them on. Bach, beethoven, rzewski by igor levit 888750609625 cd. All of the positive attention and high praise that 26yearold pianist igor levit has garnered in europe is thoroughly justified by his sony classical debut release encompassing beethovens last five sonatas. Now he confirms his appetite for the big entrance with three monuments to variation form. Igor levit concludes his intense seasonlong beethoven cycle with the composers final piano sonatas.
Aug 16, 20 at barely 26, igor levit may be a trival too young to consider tackling the highest peaks of the piano repertoire, beethoven s last piano sonatas. Find the best clips, watch programmes, catch up on the news, and read the latest igor levit interviews. Ludwig van beethoven wrote his 32 piano sonatas between 1795 and 1822. Jun 14, 2017 igor levits performances of beethovens 32 piano sonatas at the wigmore hall have stretched from early last autumn to the start of the summer. Being suitable for both private and public performance, beethoven s sonatas form a bridge between the worlds of the salon and the concert hall. Bach, beethoven, rzewski various composers by igor levit download and listen to the album. In 20 levit released his debut album, a twodisc set of ludwig van beethoven s late piano sonatas nos. At barely 30 years of age, the german pianist levit is getting his teeth into a monument of.
Igor levits beethoven sonata cycle begins at wigmore hall. The late piano sonatas 20 flac tracks 24 bit96 khz digital booklet 1. Stream adfree with amazon music unlimited on mobile, desktop, and tablet. Igor levit has created quite a stir in the piano world by recording serious, heavyhitting repertoire for his first two sony releases.
His recording of beethovens last three piano sonatas is. Levits vaulting artistic ambitions have been proven by his first two albums. Hd tracks igor levit has recently given highly acclaimed debuts in major musical centres across europe and is being hailed by international critics as one of the most outstanding pianists of our time. Igor levit performs the first movement from ludwig van beethovens moonlight piano sonata no.
Although originally not intended to be a meaningful whole, as a set they compose one of the most important collections of works in the history of music. Bachs goldberg variations, beethovens diabelli variations, and frederic rzewskis variations on the people united will never be defeated. Igor levit is a quicklyrising star in the classical piano world and has been hailed by international critics as one of the most outstanding pianists of our time. Featured artist igor levit gleefully smashes through the bounds of the. An exclusive recording artist for sony classical, igor levits debut disc of the five last beethoven sonatas won the bbc music magazine newcomer of the year 2014 award, the royal philharmonic societys young artist award 2014 and the echo 2014 for solo recording of the year 19th century musicpiano. Beethoven s piano sonatas came to be seen as the first cycle of major piano pieces suited to concert hall performance. Levits affinity for the composers essentially linear style and intense expressivity borders on clairvoyance, if youll forgive. With his debut album, featuring the late beethoven sonatas. Dedicated to haydn, the composers former teacher, this work is anything but youthful in its conception. Complete piano sonatas by igor levit on amazon music. His second sony album, a recording of johann sebastian bachs six keyboard partitas, was named gramophone magazines recording of the month for october 2014. This album, a recording of beethovens monumental five late sonatas, is levits debut, and it displays levits ability to. Igor levit plays beethoven, bartok and brahms barbican. Igor levit igor levit bach, beethoven, rzewski 2015, cd.
Julia fischer and igor levit enthrall in beethoven in zurich by sarah batschelet, 12 january 2016 the young musicians couldnt have been better partners, joining in a stunning force of emotive power, and setting a degree of excellence as. Igor levit inspired international acclaim in 20 with his debut recording of beethovens late piano sonatas, setting down enduring markers of artistic maturity and intelligence he continues his beethoven odyssey at wigmore hall with four essential works from the composers middle years, including the fantasy worlds of the op. Eschewing a strictly chronological survey, the concert opened with the youthful sonata in f minor, op. Restless piano innovator igor levit seeks new pathways. A wondrous beethoven recital by pianist igor levit, plus. A wondrous beethoven recital by pianist igor levit, plus all. But this young man is, if nothing else, a great pianist in a surprisingly fast making. The next concert in igor levits complete cycle of beethoven sonatas at the wigmore hall is on 17 march 020 7935 2141. The late piano sonatas by igor levit, ludwig van beethoven from amazons classical music store. Igor levit performs beethovens piano concerto no 3. Levit s vaulting artistic ambitions have been proven by his first two albums.
Levit has never been one to retreat to his comfort zone, consistently game for unconventional approaches to the repertory. Igor levit is a russianborn pianist now living in germany, winner of several international competitions, who has had, at the age of 26, the temerity to attempt to scale in this, his first commercial recording, the parnassus of the solo piano repertoire, the last five sonatas of beethoven. Most striking is the gentle songfulness that levit brings to lyrical movements, such as the brief allegretto an endless melody in fourpart texture, singled out by more than a few people, glenn gould included, as their favorite movement in all of beethovens sonatasthat opens the 28th sonata, op. I have praised many sets of the last five beethoven piano sonatas, and i wouldnt want to withdraw any of the plaudits i have given them, but this set, the first solo recording from russogerman pianist igor levit, sets a new standard that will be very difficult to surpass. Igor levits stunning latebeethoven debut classics today.
This is only the second time that former bbc radio 3 new generation artist igor levit has performed in the royal albert hall as part of the bbc proms, and the 99th time that beethovens piano concert no 3 in c. The piano sonatas 9 cds or download presto classical. Igor levits performances of beethovens 32 piano sonatas at the wigmore hall have stretched from early last autumn to the start of the summer. Igor levits late beethoven sonatas 11 and bach partitas 1014 on sony classical have already made bold declarations of his pianistic and artistic prowess. Beethovens pianistic imagination is stamped on every page of these three works, observes the veteran american scholar lewis lockwood. Buy a cd or vinyl record and get 90 days free amazon music unlimited. The liner notes for igor levits typically audacious new release describes it as a triathlon. Largely unknown at the time of his 20 debut recording of the last five beethoven sonatas, the pianist has racked up a nearly unbroken string of. Oct 12, 2018 igor levit is, along with daniil trifonov, the pianist du jour.
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