After a sold out performance in Berlin’s Philharmonie last Sunday, Leif Ove is back on the road this weekend with his new recital programme. Audiences in Stockholm can catch him at Konserthuset on Sunday afternoon (15.00) for an all Beethoven programme which includes the iconic Appassionata Sonata.
Next week Leif Ove performs in London (at the Barbican on 4 March) and Cologne (at the Kölner Philharmonie on 5 March) before heading for the States.
What the European press has so far written about the recital tour
LEIPZIGER VOLKSZEITUNG “The world renowned Andsnes has long been considered one of the leading pianists. Nevertheless, this evening concert’s was a surprise. Andsnes created a Beethoven Kaleidoscope – not only by placing an early and late piano sonata alongside each other in the first half of the concert: Opus 22 and Opus 101. Through this contrast, he skillfully illuminates the development of Beethoven’s sonata style, with an intelligent interpretation of how this composer further developed the piano … With a wonderful blend of intense technical brilliance and intellectual depth he clearly delineates the musical relationships, with a haunting serenity and, where relevant, a gripping virtuosity. This is how one dreams of what a piano recital should be.
“An “Appassionata” follows as the high point – one couldn’t wish for a performance more thrilling. No less full in the sound, no less technically brilliant than the previous sonatas performed by this Norwegian. Just as expressive and gripping, as multi-faceted and even monolithic.”
FRANKFURTER ALLGEMEINE ZEITUNG “With the Appassionata Andsnes fulfilled all expectations; he revealed the architectural qualities of the music which were previously only hinted at (in Beethoven’s earlier sonatas) … It is significant, how he easily masters the intricate problems of the finale to leave the most lasting impression.”
CRESCENDO (BELGIUM) “This was a great evening devoted to Beethoven which the Norwegian pianist Leif Ove Andsnes offered us … Andsnes is one of those rare artists who gives you the impression of hearing a work for the first time and making you rediscover pages played repeatedly in a new light . Everything is there: accuracy of expression , technical precision, generous sonorities were are never forced … The Salle Henry Le Boeuf gave him a him a standing ovation ! The spirit of Beethoven blew through the Palace of Fine Arts.”
BERLINSKE (DENMARK) ” … The Norwegian sits amidst several hundred spectators but he does not leave a single note, nor a single tone to stray” wrote Denmark’s Berlinske newspaper of Friday night’s recital in Copenhagen. “He makes himself an instrument of the music, you might say. He disappears into Beethoven’s world and allows the listener to disappear with him. The paradox is in force : That someone can be so discreet by nature, while making such enchanting music. Your head just can’t get round it. You even start asking yourself the question : Is the man really that good again? Yes he is. And possibly even better.”
JYLLANDS POSTEN (DENMARK) “Leif Ove Andsnes kept listeners in a magical iron grip while he deftly let Beethoven’s piano sonatas flow.”
KRISTELIGT DAGBLADET (DENMARK) “Beethoven Journey in a Lamborghini”
POLITIKEN (DENMARK) “Interpretations are sharp, dynamic and intimate. But also breathing, subtly nuanced and explosive when it should be. The Orchestra and pianist are certainly on the same wavelength on this new CD, and Andsnes never overemphasises – something which was also clear in his solo recital Friday night at Mogens Dahl … Even when compared with the famous Pollini and Abbado recording on Deutsche Grammophon from the mid-1990s, there are places whre Leif Andsnes resolves the music better … Leif Ove Andsnes is one of today’s greatest pianists.”
Source: Stockholms Konserthus
