Sir András Schiff, Wigmore Hall
The great German, Czech and Hungarian composers form the backbone of a series of concerts and masterclasses by an outstanding pianist of his generation
Sir András Schiff compares four giants of piano composition in his recitals and masterclasses. Photograph: Nadia F Romanini
At first glance, the rhythmic and ethereal Bach, passionate Schumann, and nationalistic Janáček and Bartók would seem to have little in common, but as an admirer of all four composers, Sir Andras Schiff finds comparisons as well as contrasts between them and their works.
In his series of concerts at Wigmore Hall, Schiff plays music inspired by very different circumstances that demonstrates not only the range of the piano as an instrument, but also of this masterly performer. And there are also two chances to hear the performer as teacher at masterclasses that unpack this remarkable music and his approach to it.
On 21 February, Schiff intersperses the driven and melodic Bach Sinfonias – the three-part inventions – with two suites by Bartók, Janáček's Piano Sonata From The Street, and concludes with Schumann's Piano Sonata in F-sharp minor.
On The Street takes its name from the incident that enraged and inspired Janáček: the killing of a 20- year-old apprentice joiner by troops during a protest on the streets in favour of a new Czech university in Brno in October 1905.
Schumann was, at 23, engaged to another woman but was entranced by the 15-year-old virtuoso pianist Clara Wieck, whom he would marry in 1840, when he published under the pseudonym Florestan and Eusebius his sonata in four movements. Romantic and theatrical it contains elements of his two altar egos – Florestan's restlessness and Eusebius' more contemplative natures. It ends with a dazzling code which the gifted Clara, its dedicatee, must have relished.
Schiff listens to and advises a younger pianist as he tackles some of these works, in the masterclass on 22 Feb.
In the spring, another concert (2 May) and masterclass (3 May) visit the same four composers. Details will be announced on this page nearer the time.
Booking opens 8 Nov.
In his series of concerts at Wigmore Hall, Schiff plays music inspired by very different circumstances that demonstrates not only the range of the piano as an instrument, but also of this masterly performer. And there are also two chances to hear the performer as teacher at masterclasses that unpack this remarkable music and his approach to it.
On 21 February, Schiff intersperses the driven and melodic Bach Sinfonias – the three-part inventions – with two suites by Bartók, Janáček's Piano Sonata From The Street, and concludes with Schumann's Piano Sonata in F-sharp minor.
On The Street takes its name from the incident that enraged and inspired Janáček: the killing of a 20- year-old apprentice joiner by troops during a protest on the streets in favour of a new Czech university in Brno in October 1905.
Schumann was, at 23, engaged to another woman but was entranced by the 15-year-old virtuoso pianist Clara Wieck, whom he would marry in 1840, when he published under the pseudonym Florestan and Eusebius his sonata in four movements. Romantic and theatrical it contains elements of his two altar egos – Florestan's restlessness and Eusebius' more contemplative natures. It ends with a dazzling code which the gifted Clara, its dedicatee, must have relished.
Schiff listens to and advises a younger pianist as he tackles some of these works, in the masterclass on 22 Feb.
In the spring, another concert (2 May) and masterclass (3 May) visit the same four composers. Details will be announced on this page nearer the time.
Booking opens 8 Nov.
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| What | Sir András Schiff, Wigmore Hall |
| Where | Wigmore Hall, 36 Wigmore Street, London, W1U 2BP | MAP |
| Nearest tube | Bond Street (underground) |
| When |
21 Feb 17 – 03 May 17, concerts and masterclasses |
| Price | £15-£50 |
| Website | Click here for more information and booking |