ZUSATZKONZERT: Igor Levit Neue Horizonte

Igor Levit Neue Horizonte

Igor Levit, known for performing complex works, will premiere two Chopin pieces in Heidelberg. This marks a long-awaited turn towards the Polish Romantic composer. Also on the program is Prokofiev's last piano sonata, possibly reflecting on the composer's life and Levit's earlier performance of Prokofiev's piano concertos.

Igor Levit

Every pianist and soloist takes a risk with Franz Liszt's transcription of Beethoven's Symphony No. 7. Few have dared to tackle this pianistic chunk, which demands everything at once: power, virtuosity, a sense of the piece's architecture, and a keen ear for detail. Igor Levit takes on this task. Liszt has long been a favorite in his repertoire. For a TV documentary, he already traced the composer's footsteps around 15 years ago. Levit's program for the Essen Philharmonic is brilliant: First, he takes us back to the starting point of all romantic piano virtuosity, Bach's "Chromatic Fantasy and Fugue".

Igor Levit

Igor Levit

In the 19th century, piano arrangements played a key role in disseminating symphonic works, culminating in Franz Liszt's transcriptions of Ludwig van Beethoven's symphonies. Igor Levit takes on this challenge, reducing an entire orchestra to two hands and 88 keys. Levit performs this piano version in concert, showcasing the demanding nature of these arrangements. He also presents music by Johann Sebastian Bach and late piano pieces by Johannes Brahms.

Igor Levit

Igor Levit is one of the most significant pianists of his generation (born in 1987) and regularly performs on all the major stages worldwide. He has appeared at Konserthuset Stockholm on several occasions, including during the 250th anniversary of Beethoven's birth, when he performed all of Beethoven's piano sonatas in a series of live-streamed concerts (due to the pandemic).Beethoven is also featured on the program for this concert: the third symphony – Eroica – in Franz Liszt's famous arrangement. The program as a whole consists of what is often referred to as the three great Bs of classical music history: Bach, Beethoven, Brahms, and begins with Bach's chromatic fantasy and fugue. It was acclaimed and regarded as a masterpiece even during Bach's lifetime, filled with advanced voice leading and lightning-fast runs.Between Bach and Beethoven, Levit has placed Brahms' atmospheric and youthfully explosive ballades; he was only 21 years old when he wrote them. They are designed as short musical narratives. We know that the first one is based on an old Scottish ballad about Edward, who returns home with blood on his sword. The atmosphere is dark and ominous. However, no source material for the other three has been preserved.

Klavierabend Igor Levit

World-renowned pianist Igor Levit, known for his diverse programming, rarely played Chopin. However, this changed in 2024 with performances at the Salzburg Festival and Elbphilharmonie. In 2025, he'll play Chopin's Piano Sonata in B minor at the Albert Concerts, preceded by Schubert's Sonata in B-flat major and Schumann's Night Pieces. Chopin's sonata, his last, blends tradition and visionary spirit, reflecting his genius as both virtuoso and poet.

Igor Levit. Iván Fischer. Budapest Festival Orchestra Alle Prokofjew-Klavierkonzerte I

Over three consecutive days, Igor Levit performs all five of Sergei Prokofiev's brilliant piano concertos, spanning the young composer's boundless creativity to his mature mastery. He's accompanied by the Budapest Festival Orchestra, conducted by Iván Fischer. Prokofiev's first concerto features rhythmic agility and sharp percussion. Alongside this and the fifth concerto, they perform the "Symphony of the Greatness of the Human Spirit", whose 1945 premiere coincided with the Red Army's victory announcement. Levit also revisits Prokofiev's second concerto after a decade. A pre-concert talk with Levit and Anselm Cybinski takes place at 7 pm.

Igor Levit. Iván Fischer. Budapest Festival Orchestra Alle Prokofjew-Klavierkonzerte II

The second day of the Prokofiev cycle features his third piano concerto, known for its popularity. Its folk-song-like and lyrical character is highlighted by the slightly subdued wildness and softened harmony. The program also includes the Overture on Hebrew Themes, with its melancholic klezmer tone, and an orchestral suite from the ballet "Cinderella". A pre-concert talk with Anselm Cybinski and Igor Levit will take place at 7 pm in the Heidelberg Congress Center.

Igor Levit. Iván Fischer. Budapest Festival Orchestra Alle Prokofjew-Klavierkonzerte III

The Budapest Festival Orchestra, conducted by Iván Fischer, and pianist Igor Levit present a Prokofiev cycle, featuring the whimsical "The Love for Three Oranges" suite and the shadowy Piano Concerto No. 2, whose original version vanished mysteriously. They also perform the Piano Concerto No. 4, commissioned by the one-armed pianist Paul Wittgenstein, and Prokofiev's classically-inspired Symphony No. 1. Levit discusses his return to performing Concerto No. 2 after a decade.