International Artist Series: Leif Ove Andsnes

Overview

Norwegian pianist Leif Ove Andsnes has been called “one of the most gifted musicians of his generation” by the Wall Street Journal and “a pianist of magisterial elegance, power, and insight,” by the New York Times. His International Artist Series recital in March 2025 will mark his fourth appearance with Schubert Club, and his first since 2011. A renowned champion of the works of his countryman Edvard Grieg, Andsnes will open the program with the composer’s only piano sonata. The second half will be devoted to the 24 Preludes of Chopin, offering a rare opportunity to hear the complete set performed live. Intended as exploratory character pieces in all the major and minor keys, the 24 Preludes are a study in contrasts: some are as short as 40 seconds, and the longest clocks in at nearly six minutes.

Andsnes will also perform music by Norwegian composer and pianist Geirr Tveitt, an important 20th figure who is little known outside Norway. Like Grieg, Tveitt’s music is inspired by the folk music of his homeland. His ”Sonata Etere” is among the few works to survive a fire at the composer’s home in 1970 that destroyed most of his manuscripts.