Paul Lewis – SJE Arts International Piano Series
SJE Arts in collaboration with Oxford Festival of the Arts
Beethoven Piano Sonata no. 5 in C minor op. 10, no. 1
Mozart Piano Sonata no. 10 in C major
Interval
Brahms 3 Intermezzi, op. 117
Schubert Piano Sonata no. 18 in G major, D894
(Paul Lewis has made a change in the programme as originally published: he will now be playing Schubert D894 instead of Beethoven op.111 in the second half).
‘Total fidelity to the music’s structure and inner spirit, and an emotional response that never suffocates or distorts’ The Times
Internationally regarded as one of the leading pianists of his generation, Paul Lewis is in demand as soloist with foremost orchestras, and in recital at the world’s most prestigious venues. He is a regular at festivals including Tanglewood USA and BBC Proms, at both of which he has performed the complete Beethoven piano concerto cycle. Locally, he is familiar as the long-time President of Chipping Campden Music Festival. We are delighted to welcome him for this overdue appearance in the SJE Arts Piano Series.
Paul is especially renowned for his interpretations of the central European classical repertoire, and it is with Beethoven that he begins tonight’s programme. The three piano sonatas that make up op. 10 were published when Beethoven was a young virtuoso in Vienna, better known as a pianist than a composer and keen to show off his talents. No.1, the sonata in C minor, has a fiery beginning with sharp contrasts, followed by one of the most beautiful slow movements that Beethoven ever wrote.
For all but the last year of his life Schubert lived under the shadow of Beethoven; he could not compete with the drama, passion and brilliance of his hero. But he could offer something else. Schubert invites us into a place filled with divine melody and subtly shifting voices. Composed in the year before Beethoven died, the Piano Sonata no. 18 in G major is sometimes described as a Fantasy Sonata for its serene and dreamy qualities. It will be wonderful to hear Paul Lewis bring these subtleties to life.
Paul plays Haydn’s Sonata in D major at Wigmore Hall, 15th October 2021
