Celebrated Norwegian pianist Leif Ove Andsnes makes a welcome return to New York next week, when he launches his season-long tenure as Artist-in-Residence of the New York Philharmonic with accounts of Rachmaninoff’s rarely-programmed Fourth Concerto under Paavo Järvi (Oct 12–17), and of Grieg and Shostakovich piano trios with Philharmonic principals Frank Huang and Carter Brey (Oct 14). These engagements follow on the heels of the six-time Gramophone Award-winner’s most recent album release, an all-Sibelius title for Sony Classical, which has already been hailed as “a triumph of serenity, naturalness, and charm” (Diapason, France). While in the city, Andsnes also offers New Yorkers an intimate evening at WQXR’s Greene Space, where he will play selections from his new recording alongside works by Schubert and Jörg Widmann, besides discussing the upcoming season with WQXR host Elliott Forrest. The event will be broadcast live at WQXR 105.9 FM, and will stream live at www.wqxr.org (Oct 16).
Since making his New York Philharmonic debut 20 years ago, Andsnes has appeared with the orchestra a remarkable 28 times. The vehicle for their first concerto collaboration this season is Rachmaninoff’s Fourth Piano Concerto, of which, according to BBC Music magazine, the pianist’s recording stands “without doubt in the front rank.” Marking his only other New York appearances of the season, the year-long Philharmonic residency also sees Andsnes return for Britten’s Piano Concerto under Antonio Pappano (Feb 8–10), Debussy’s Fantaisie for piano and orchestra under Edward Gardner (April 26 & 28), and, with a program of Beethoven, Schubert, Nielsen, Sibelius, and Jörg Widmann, a solo recital at David Geffen Hall (May 2).
Meanwhile, since its release on September 1, Leif Ove Andsnes: Sibelius has inspired a spate of glowing praise. “Wonderful piano music, subtle, deeply felt and incredibly excitingly performed” is the verdict of Germany’s Der Kurier. Le Monde (France) calls the pianist “a magician of sound, a liberator of buried secrets,” while Radio France welcomes his new collection as “a major discovery.” France’s Figaro agrees: “Andsnes brings depth and delicacy, which only reinforces the poetry of the collection. A beautiful rediscovery.” As the UK’s Arts Desk put it, “This wonderfully recorded collection deserves to sell in spades.” Click here to see the video trailer for Leif Ove Andsnes: Sibelius.
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Leif Ove Andsnes in New York
Oct 12, 13, 14, 17
David Geffen Hall
New York Philharmonic / Paavo Järvi
Rachmaninoff: Piano Concerto No. 4
Oct 14m
David Geffen Hall
Grieg: Andante con moto for piano trio (with Frank Huang, violin; Carter Brey, cello)
Shostakovich: Piano Trio in E minor (with Frank Huang, violin; Carter Brey, cello)
Oct 16
The Greene Space
Performance and conversation with WQXR host Elliott Forrest
Sibelius: selected works for solo piano
Jörg Widmann (b. 1973): Idyll and Abyss (Six Schubert Reminiscences)
Schubert: Drei Klavierstücke, D. 946, No. 2 in E-flat
Feb 8–10
David Geffen Hall
New York Philharmonic / Antonio Pappano
Britten: Piano Concerto
April 26 & 28
David Geffen Hall
New York Philharmonic / Edward Gardner
Debussy: Fantaisie for piano and orchestra
May 2
David Geffen Hall
Solo recital (presented by the New York Philharmonic):
Nielsen: Chaconne
Sibelius: Selected works
Schubert: Two scherzos in B-flat and D-flat, D. 593; Drei Klavierstücke, D. 946
Jörg Widmann (b. 1973): Idyll and Abyss (Six Schubert Reminiscences)