Andsnes

A few weeks ago I heard Andsnes in Stockholm, an all Beethoven program which completely blew me away. He now seems to be touring and if he comes your way I would greatly recommend it. Beginning with sonata no 11 (which Chris recently posted in the audition room: Chris, you are is still alone in the rhythm of the main theme in the first movement!) was a perfect mix of sternness and sweetness. Sonata no 28 was fantastic with a clear Beethovian idiom (last year Hewitt played it in Stockholm with a much more melodious idiom which i liked at the time, but Andsnes brings out a whole new depth level here). After intermission and the op 34 variations he conclude with sonata no 23. Yes, Apassionata. Who dares play that nowadays? I don't know how many times I have heard it but this performance beat all. The completely tragic atmosphere was consistently maintained without a hint of it becoming ridiculous (a sever danger in this sonata) and with a phenomenal articulation, all the time progressing in a way that appeared cast in stone. And in the final movement the impossible quick run of a theme was clearly articulated every single time, showing how totally it dominates the movement, yet subtly shaded with different colour. In the explosive coda it was still heard, an outbreak so fierce it almost left me crying, a final attempt to assert itself before plumbing into hell. There was a standing ovation and people were screaming all around. I honestly did not think there was anything left to do with this piece, now I felt I really heard it for the first time.

Joachim

 

I had a ringside seat, first row only a few meters away from him, and I honestly cannot recall anything about his collar. The way he played he could have had a hat with a propeller on top and I wouldn't have noticed.

 

So much for going to see a pianist