Leif Ove Andsnes reveals the richness of small-scale forms

By Edward Sava-Segal, 28 January 2026

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“phrases seemed to withdraw mid-thought, their lyricism ending in ellipsis, not closure”

Reviewed at Carnegie Hall: Stern Auditorium, New York City on 27 January 2026

Schumann, Vier Klavierstücke, Op.32

Kurtág, Játékok (Games): excerpts

Janáček, On an Overgrown Path (Book I)

Schumann, Carnaval, Op.9

Chopin, Tarantella in A flat major, Op.43

Mozart, Rondo in D major for piano, K485

Leif Ove Andsnes, Piano

Resplendent Strauss from Canellakis and the Wiener Symphoniker

Mark Pullinger, 17th December

Leif Ove Andsnes joins the Vienna Symphony in the Musikverein's Golden Hall for a glowing account of Brahms’ Second Piano Concerto before a terrific Tod und Verklärung.

*****

A spectacular swansong for the Rosendal Chamber Music Festival

Nick Boston, 10th August

A fitting farewell for Leif Ove Andsnes' Rosendal Chamber Music Festival: imaginative programming and excellent performances in an inspiring setting.

*****

Hrůša and Andsnes lead a bright night for the Czech Philharmonic

Frank Kuznik, 24th April

With Jakub Hrůša on the podium and Leif Ove Andsnes at the keyboard, the orchestra offer glowing treatment of a dark program.

****1

Fine Rachmaninov from Edward Gardner and the LPO

Roy Westbrook, 28th September

Leif Ove Andsnes brings out the singing line of Rachmaninov's Third Piano Concerto before vocal soloists Kristina Mkhitaryan, Dmytro Popov and Kostas Smoriginas join the London Philharmonic Choir and Orchestra for The Bells.

****1

Monumental Romantic masterpieces from Andsnes and Honeck in Pittsburgh

Phillip Nones, 21st April

Franz Liszt and Manfred Honeck take us to the gates of Hell and back, while pianist Leif Ove Andsnes delivers poetry and polish in Rach 3.

****1

Glorious guests at the LSO's feasting-table: Andsnes and Slobodeniouk

Alexander Hall, 4th February

Musical partnerships do not always work, but they did here in Beethoven's final piano concerto. Dima Slobodeniouk displayed once again his credentials as a compelling interpreter of Sibelius.

****1

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Edward Sava-Segal

Edward has been living in New York for the last 25 years, one of the reasons being the extraordinarily rich cultural life in this city. He has studied piano and classical music in his early years. He switched later on to computer science and data architecture but he kept an unwavering interest in following the classical music phenomenon here in New York and in his travels. Edward occasionally reviews fine arts events for the most prestigious literary magazine in Romania, his home country.

Leif Ove Andsnes reveals the richness of small-scale forms at Carnegie Hall