Paul Lewis – SJE Arts International Piano Series
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
Beethoven Piano Sonata no.32 in C minor, op. 111
‘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 and ends 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. Op. 111 is the mature Beethoven’s final sonata for piano, a masterpiece in only two movements that breaks all the rules, foreshadows jazz rhythms, and finally reaches a plane of transcendental serenity. It will be a joy to hear Paul Lewis perform it.
Paul plays Haydn’s Sonata in D major at Wigmore Hall, 15th October 2021