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Igor Levit brings the stridency and delicacy of Beethoven and Rzewski to Carnegie Hall

Igor Levit
© Steve J Sherman
Igor Levit
© Steve J Sherman
By Kurt Gottschalk, 24 January 2026
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“an inspired pairing of works, both endlessly inventive, equally exhilarating and exhaustive”
Reviewed at Carnegie Hall: Stern Auditorium, New York City on 22 January 2026
Programme
Beethoven, 33 Variations for piano in C major "Diabelli Variations", Op.120
Rzewski, The People United Will Never Be Defeated
Performers
Igor Levit, Piano
More Concert reviews
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
A triad of trios: Capuçon, Hagen and Levit play Brahms at Wigmore Hall
Mark Valencia, 4th May
Renaud Capuçon brings his customary taste, refinement and intellect to music he has played many times over the years with a variety of partners – here Julia Hagen and Igor Levit. 
****1
More reviews...
Read reviews of
33 Variations for piano in C major "Diabelli Variations", Op.120Frederic RzewskiIgor LevitLudwig van Beethoven
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Kurt Gottschalk
Kurt Gottschalk

Kurt Gottschalk is a journalist and author based in New York City. His writings on contemporary and classical music, jazz and improvisation have been published in outlets throughout Europe and America and he has two volumes of short fiction to his name. He produced and hosted the Miniature Minotaurs radio programme on WFMU and currently hosts Afternoon New Music on WKCR.