Louis Lortie saves the day in Philadelphia

By Cameron Kelsall, 12 February 2020

Loading, please wait...

See full listing

“the Pathétique balanced brooding emotion with nimble virtuosity”

Reviewed at Kimmel Center, Perelman Theater, Philadelphia on 11 February 2020

Beethoven, Piano Sonata no. 3 in C major, Op.2 no.3

Beethoven, Piano Sonata no. 8 in C minor "Pathétique", Op.13

Beethoven, Piano Sonata no. 6 in F major, Op.10 no. 2

Beethoven, Piano Sonata no. 23 in F minor "Appassionata", Op.57

Louis Lortie, Piano

Chopin and Franck reframed with elegance and insight in Dublin

Andrew Larkin, 20th March

In Dublin, Jean-Luc Tingaud and Louis Lortie bring clarity and purpose to two composers often ill at ease with the orchestra.

****1

Louis Lortie shines in uneven program of Schubert and Mahler

Linda Holt, 18th October

Louis Lortie amazes in the Schubert-Liszt Wanderer Fantasy, while The Philadelphia Orchestra under Nézet-Séguin struggles but ultimately triumphs with Mahler's Fifth.

****1

Lortie plays Liszt's complete Années de pèlerinage

Roy Westbrook, 28th April

The several empty seats were probably a comment on the current reputation of the composer more than that of the pianist. Both deserved a full house.

*****

Prom 14: Storgårds and the BBC Philharmonic go for contrasts

Alexander Hall, 24th July

Contrasts are fine but they don’t always work: in a programme with a strongly Germanic flavour John Storgårds and the BBC Philharmonic stretch the boundaries.

***11

Minnesota Orchestra reacquaint with old friends in Minneapolis

Phillip Nones, 13th April

In Minneapolis, Markus Stenz and Louis Lortie present time-honored Austro-German symphonic masterpieces in committed and compelling performances.

****1

Unpolished gems: Saint-Saëns, Smetana and more

Hugh Morris, 12th January

BBC Philharmonic and Edward Gardner tackle Janáček’s Sinfonietta in a well-crafted programme of French and Czech music.

***11

More reviews...

Cameron Kelsall

Cameron Kelsall is a classical music critic and cultural reporter. He has written for Bachtrack since 2019, and his byline has appeared in many national and international classical music publications. Based in Philadelphia, he regularly travels around the United States for musical events. In addition to his career in journalism, Cameron also teaches in the Theatre Arts program at the University of Pennsylvania. He is also a certified sommelier and avid home cook. His favorite composer is Mahler. Twitter: @CameronPKelsall.