Hamburg, Germany

Mitsuko Uchida, piano

Beethoven: Piano Sonata in E minor op. 90
Schönberg: Three Piano Pieces op. 11
Kurtág: Márta ligatúrája
Schubert: Piano Sonata in B flat major D 960

Venue note:

World class – as she has been for decades: known for her technical perfection and deep musical intuition, Mitsuko Uchida is one of the greatest pianists of our time. The grand dame of the piano now returns to the Elbphilharmonie with a moving solo programme. Incidentally, she was not only involved in the selection of the Elbphilharmonie’s numerous concert grands, but also gave the first piano recital ever in the Grand Hall after the opening in 2017.

The programme features Beethoven and Schubert, two composers with whom the Grammy award-winning musician has made a name for herself around the world. Beethoven’s famous Sonata Op. 90 is captivating for its great musical contrasts: while a restless motion carries through the passionate first movement, the lyrical second movement, with its song-like beauty in parts, is already headed distinctly in the direction of Schubert.

Mitsuko Uchida then brings one of the most important piano works ever to the stage, namely his final piano sonata. In this deeply inward-looking and touching music, the romantic composer seems to leave space and time behind him – in ways rapturous and melancholic, dramatic and comforting all at the same time. Repertoire classics in a top line-up – making this a piano recital straight off the wish list.