András Schiff
Friday, October 22, 2010 | 8:00 pm
Page Auditorium
Since his debut in 1950s Hungary, the “revelatory” Schiff has climbed to the very summit of modern classical music, carving out a luminous five-decade career in which his “uncanny combination of elegance and intensity” (NY Times) has become legendary.
The exquisitely sensitive master has studied under György Kurtág and George Malcolm; founded his own chamber orchestra; earned first prizes at the Tchaikovsky and Leeds competitions, among others; won two Grammy awards; and played in nearly every major concert hall in Europe, Asia, and North America.
In this special performance at Duke, Schiff follows his two-year survey of Beethoven’s piano sonatas by plunging further into the 19th century; he approaches a pair of darkly romantic works by Schumann and Mendelssohn, both of whom turn 200 this year.
PROGRAM:
MENDELSSOHN: Variations sérieuses, Op. 54
SCHUMANN: Sonata in F-sharp Minor, No. 1, Op. 11
MENDELSSOHN: Fantasie in F-sharp Minor, Op. 28
SCHUMANN: Fantasie in C Major, Op. 17
“Schiff stands with perhaps only a handful of pianists in his total achievement of the most severe beauty.”
—Philadelphia Inquirer
Schiff’s recital is part of both the Duke Artists series and the Piano Recital series.
Special Event:
In Conversation: Andras Schiff
On Mendelssohn & Schumann
with Professor R. Larry Todd, Duke Dept. of Music
Thursday, October 21 at 6p
Nelson Music Room (2nd floor of the East Duke Building)