Listening to Beethoven again, but hearing something different

By Phil Barrett, 05 July 2016

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Reviewed at Wigmore Hall, London on 4 July 2016

Beethoven, Violin Sonata no. 1 in D major, Op.12 no.1

Beethoven, Violin Sonata no. 2 in A major, Op.12 no.2

Beethoven, Violin Sonata no. 3 in E flat major, Op.12 no.3

Beethoven, Violin Sonata no. 4 in A minor, Op.23

Julia Fischer, Violin

Igor Levit, Piano

Igor Levit brings Beethoven and Rzewski to Carnegie Hall

Kurt Gottschalk, 22nd January

Levit introduced the theme at such a clip that one couldn't help but worry about the marathon of musculature he had in front of him, but he persevered, playing with a precision that was almost alarming.

*****

Tremendous energy and engagement from Igor Levit at Wigmore Hall

Patrick Maxwell, 22nd September

Igor Levit brings a well-considered programme of Schubert, Schumann and Chopin to London in a performance of commitment and subtlety.

****1

Percussive Prokofiev and titanic Shostakovich from Levit and Sternath

Mark Pullinger, 4th April

Igor Levit champions his young mentee Lukas Sternath in a joint Wigmore Hall recital culminating in Shostakovich's own transcription of his Tenth Symphony.

****1

Budapest Festival Orchestra sprinkles fairydust over London

Roy Westbrook, 11th March

Story time with Uncle Iván as the BFO plays music from the ballet Cinderella to crown an all-Prokofiev evening.

****1

Subsuming virtuosity: Igor Levit at Carnegie Hall

Edward Sava-Segal, 12th January

Igor Levit's Carnegie Hall programme evolves into a journey through interconnected musical worlds, revealing unexpected parallels and contrasts.

****1

Levit and New York Phil principals in double concertos

Edward Sava-Segal, 30th May

In a subscription performance supposed to yield no surprises, Igor Levit makes his own mark in Shostakovich.

***11

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Phil Barrett

Phil is a radio professional working on content for BBC Radio 3 at Somethin' Else Productions and is also the presenter and producer of ‘Classical Cambridge’ on Cambridge 105. With a particular passion for Baroque music & Lieder, he can usually be found at the Wigmore Hall taking full advantage of their generous under-25s scheme. He is also committed to changing attitudes towards modern and contemporary music and hopes to champion young composers. He blogs at philbarrettlistens.wordpress.com

Listening to Beethoven again, but hearing something different: Julia Fischer and Igor Levit at Wigmore Hall