Leif Ove Andsnes’ long awaited second CD in The Beethoven Journey is released today on Sony Classical (USA release date is early March).
“Some journeys are unpredictable” wrote Leif Ove Andsnes of the new album. “At the beginning of May 2013, I was all geared up to tour and record Beethoven’s Second and Fourth Concertos with the Mahler Chamber Orchestra. A couple of days before I was due to depart for the tour, our twins arrived in this world — twelve weeks earlier than expected. With the insecurity that followed over the next few days, there was no way around it: I had to cancel the recording and stay at home with my family. Now, seven months later, our twins are fine and healthy, and I am so happy that the MCO and I found another period to record the concertos, which we did in the beautiful St. Jude’s Church in London in December 2013. Working with this group is always an incredibly gratifying experience, and I continue to be grateful to them for the enormous commitment and passion they bring to our performances together. To live with these two concertos is, for me, emotionally similar to thatof spending time with my children: this is music that feeds me constantly with joy, surprise and discovery. There is of course much drama and intensity in this music, qualities we often associate with Beethoven, but there is also so much childlike beauty and innocence in these concertos, and a constant sense of wonder. I want to dedicate this recording to my three wonderful children , Sigrid, Ingvild and Erlend.”