Born in nizhni nowgorod in 1987, igor levit was already playing the piano at the age of four. Six years ago igor levit burst on to the recording scene, making his debut with beethoven s last five sonatas at the age of just 26. Levits interpretations display extraordinary depth, balance. In 20 levit released his debut album, a twodisc set of ludwig van beethoven s late piano sonatas nos. In his second duke performances recital, levit offers four early and late beethoven sonatas. Bach, beethoven, rzewski by igor levit on apple music. Adagio cantabile igor levit ludwig van beethoven beethoven. His recording of beethovens last three piano sonatas is. The late piano sonatas set that was released in 20, and newer recordings of the rest of the cycle nos. And his adherence to beethoven s markings make for thrilling listening. The complete piano sonatas by levit, igor from amazons classical music store. Igor levit is a comparatively new or at least newly discovered star in the pianistic firmament, having made his first powerful showing on disc in 20 with a programme of beethoven s. Levits affinity for the composers essentially linear style and intense expressivity borders on clairvoyance, if youll forgive. A wondrous beethoven recital by pianist igor levit, plus all.
Levit dispatches this fiendishly difficult movement as if a czernylike technical exercise and then switches to a dreamy, fluid state helped by a superb left hand before setting back on beethoven s glorious 68 journey. Pianist igor levits new complete beethoven sonatas the. The pianist igor levit strode onto the stage at the palais des beauxarts, an art deco gem here known as bozar, to play beethoven. Igor levit beethoven complete piano sonatas 2019 24. Igor levit s complete beethoven sonata box set consists of existing recordings of the late sonatas no. Beethoven s late piano sonatas can be a bit like this in musical terms, but the clarity of igor levit s thinking in this music renders these works not only enjoyable, but, as you listen, entirely comprehensible.
Igor levits significant and stimulating beethoven cycle. On friday, igor levit will devote himself to one of the central solo works of the 21st century. Igor levit beethoven the complete piano sonatas cd for. The next concert in igor levits complete cycle of beethoven sonatas at the wigmore hall is on 17 march 020 7935 2141. A sprawling recording focuses on scarlattis sonatas the. The literally lifechanging encounter with the diabelli variations at the age of 17, which is effectively still ongoing, the daily engagement with beethoven s sonatas, with beethoven as a person, with myself, with the world. Filling halls in berlin, new york, paris, vienna and salzburg, igor levit released an album with all 32 of ludwig van beethoven s piano sonatas before the beginning of the anniversary year marking. Now he confirms his appetite for the big entrance with three monuments to variation form. At times, trying too hard to create an effect igor levit. It may not have the truly awesome proportions of a beethoven sonata cycle 10 hours of music in igor levit s new rendition, also for sony. Watch igor levit play the tiny desk the insightful pianist offers a beethoven bonanza, ranging from the mesmerizing pulse of the popular moonlight sonata to. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders.
The complete piano sonatas, his album of recordings released on sony. The pianist igor levit has shown an inclination toward big virtuoso repertory. Piano fans already knew igor levit was bold, but this threehour set is another order of ambitious. He moved to hanover with his family at age eight in response to an invitation for soviet jews to move from russia to germany, and there he became a top student at the university for music, drama and media named as a bbc new generation artist in 2011, levit went on. Five stars or more to igor levit, but zero stars to whichever dull and ungrateful suit at sony decided that the cd booklet should comprise a longwinded, grandiose, but by definition speculative essay on beethoven s psyche during the period of the late sonatas as if we need another, but not a single word not one. Reviewing igor levit s stunning 20 solo cd debut featuring beethoven s last five piano sonatas, i wrote how the then26yearold pianists affinity for the composers essentially linear style and intense expressivity bordered on clairvoyance. A wondrous beethoven recital by pianist igor levit, plus. Most striking is the gentle songfulness that levit brings to lyrical movements, such as the brief allegretto an endless melody in fourpart texture, singled out by more than a few people, glenn gould included, as their favorite movement in all of beethovens sonatasthat opens the 28th sonata, op. Levit plays 1 and 3 gently and tenderly, and 2 and 4 with strength and vigor. Igor levits late beethoven sonatas 11 and bach partitas 1014 on sony classical have already made bold declarations of his pianistic and artistic prowess.
Igor levits complete beethoven sonata box set consists of existing recordings of the late sonatas no. Being suitable for both private and public performance, beethoven s sonatas form a bridge between the worlds of the salon and the concert hall. Sep, 2019 a few years ago igor levit released a set of beethovens late piano sonatas that drew great acclaim. This twocd recording of beethovens late piano sonatas op. Beethoven s piano sonatas came to be seen as the first cycle of major piano pieces suited to concert hall performance. For me, this recording is a conclusion of my past fifteen years. Levit one of the most thoughtful, adventurous, and technically equipped of the young generation of pianistsgives us the piano sonatas in performances full of fantasy, vitality, and huge emotional power. Igor levit beethoven complete piano sonatas 2019 2496 magnet links and torrent files to download. Allegro assai igor levit ludwig van beethoven beethoven.
To accompany igor levit on this long and wonderful path to his complete recording of the beethoven sonatas was an unforgettable experience for all of us at sony classical. His recording of beethoven s last three piano sonatas is. Igor levit the recent recipient of the prestigious gilmore artist award and the royal philharmonic societys instrumentalist of the year has now completed the recording of all 32 sonatas of ludwig van beethoven. As if that were not enough, he released a threecd set featuring bachs goldberg variations, bwv 988, beethoven s diabelli variations, op. Levit has never been one to retreat to his comfort zone, consistently game for unconventional approaches to the repertory. Igor levit is barbican centres featured artist of the 201920 season. All of the positive attention and high praise that 26yearold pianist igor levit has garnered in europe is thoroughly justified by his sony classical debut release encompassing beethovens last five sonatas. Feb 17, 2020 igor levit performs beethoven in a concert at the barbican on 19 february and at concerts throughout 2020. I gor levit made his debut on disc in 20 with beethoven sonatas, and not just any. Igor levit, a pianist for polarizing times the new. This twocd recording of beethoven s late piano sonatas op.
Nov 22, 2019 when russianborn pianist igor levit dropped in to play beethoven at the tiny desk, he admitted he was even after four cups of coffee still in my time zone change. Bach, beethoven, rzewski by igor levit 888750609625 cd. It was devoted to beethoven s last five piano sonatas and was released by sony classical in 20. Russianborn levit was only 26 when he recorded but so assured is he and so wise in his playing that age becomes immaterial. He made a stunning debut with beethovens last five sonatas, and followed up with excellent albeit not extraordinary readings of bachs six partitas. What you will get is a new sense of the sheer physicality of the musicwhats fascinating about levits whole.
Get it today with same day delivery, order pickup or drive up. Stream adfree with amazon music unlimited on mobile, desktop, and tablet. Igor levit sony classical, nine cds levit scales the heights over nine cds, though excessive speed means musical sense is lost in some. All of the positive attention and high praise that 26yearold pianist igor levit has garnered in europe is thoroughly justified by his sony classical debut release encompassing beethoven s last five sonatas. Igor levit is a russianborn pianist now living in germany, winner of several international competitions, who has had, at the age of 26, the temerity to attempt to scale in this, his first commercial recording, the parnassus of the solo piano repertoire, the last five sonatas of beethoven. His debut for sony, still in his midtwenties, included some of the pinnacles of the piano repertoire, beethoven s five last piano sonatas. His debut album includes beethovens muchrevered five late sonatas, opp. Passionate and outspoken about political issues, levit caused controversy in 2017 when he performed liszts transcription of the ode to joy from beethoven s ninth symphony adopted as the anthem of the european union as an unscripted encore at the first night of the bbc proms, following a performance of the third piano concerto the concert was the first prom since the brexit. May 14, 2014 igor levit, beethoven sonatas, queen elizabeth hall 03 oct 20 the confidence would be striking enough in someone of 26, but it was already there when the 16yearold levit was studying at the. Editors notes among the first major releases for beethoven s 250th anniversary year, this epic sets a towering standard for the rest. The end of the season will see igor levit on tour in the united states with an all beethoven sonata program amongst others at new yorks carnegie hall, princeton, washington, san francisco and chicago.
It set off an expectation that he would followup with another group of sonatas. Levit s affinity for the composers essentially linear style and intense expressivity borders on clairvoyance, if youll forgive. Bbc radio 3 new generation artist plays bach duration. Igor levits recording of beethovens piano sonata no2 op2. Beethoven piano sonatas 2832 sony classical 88883 703872.
The complete piano sonatas by igor levit cd beethoven. Complete piano sonatas by igor levit on amazon music. Fwiw, brendel recorded the beethoven sonatas 3 times, and the middle one recorded for philips label in the 1970s is quite fine. Pianist igor levit came on the scene with an album devoted to beethoven s late piano sonatas, works normally not undertaken until a player has had some experience. Beethovens late piano sonatas can be a bit like this in musical terms, but the clarity of igor levits thinking in this music renders these works not only enjoyable, but, as you listen, entirely comprehensible. Later on, we saw bachs complete keyboard partitas, a threealbum set with bachs goldberg variations, beethoven s diabelli variations and the extremely difficult variations set by rzewski. Provided to youtube by sony music entertainment piano sonata no. Jan 03, 2018 the pianist igor levit strode onto the stage at the palais des beauxarts, an art deco gem here known as bozar, to play beethoven. Passionate and outspoken about political issues, levit caused controversy in 2017 when he performed liszts transcription of the ode to joy from beethovens ninth symphony adopted as the anthem of the european union as an unscripted encore at the first night of the bbc proms, following a performance of the third piano concerto the concert was the first prom since the brexit.
Levit s sound is big and booming where it needs to be, while remaining technically assured throughout. He gets at the wild swings of style in the beethoven, while faithfully observing repeats in the bach. Igor levit has created quite a stir in the piano world by recording serious, heavyhitting repertoire for his first two sony releases. Now he completes that cycle, adding the remaining 27 sonatas to opp 101, 106 and 109 111 which he hasnt rerecorded. Best sellers todays deals new releases books electronics gift ideas. The next concert in igor levit s complete cycle of beethoven sonatas at the wigmore hall is on 17 march 020 7935 2141. Russian classical pianist igor levit was in his mid20s when he got his recording career started with two double albums, one of beethoven sonatas the other of bach partitas. Levit s first album was a recording of beethoven s late sonatas, a move which gramophone declared a debut of true significance. Igor levit is quite a mature artist imho, and the success of his 3 disc set including a very fine diabelli variations and bachs goldberg variations bodes well for the release of his beethoven sonatas. Nothing he has done, however, is comparable to this giant effort, comprising three ambitious and extremely difficult variation sets. It was devoted to beethovens last five piano sonatas and was released by sony classical in 20. But even if the dminor sonata had more volatile siblings, it would still emerge as a distinctly powerful, if concise, essay.
His new studio recording of the complete sonata cycle represents the recorded testament to almost half his life spent in the study and performance of these sonatas. Igor levit is one of the worlds most soughtafter pianists, especially in 2020 with the beethoven anniversary year. Igor levits stunning latebeethoven debut classics today. His recording of beethovens complete piano sonatas is out now on sony classical.
A few years ago igor levit released a set of beethoven s late piano sonatas that drew great acclaim. Igor levit wins the beethoven prize for taking a stand at the. Igor levit, exclusive artist with sony classical says. His second sony album, a recording of johann sebastian bachs six keyboard partitas, was named gramophone magazines recording of the month for october 2014. Igor levit s work on the 32 beethoven piano sonatas has been the most important endeavour of the past 15 years of his life. Sony has done wonders in providing a consistently fine.
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