Elisabeth Leonskaja plays Schubert

Soloist: Elisabeth Leonskaja, piano

Elisabeth Leonskaja is widely regarded as the preeminent living interpreter of Franz Schubert’s multifaceted piano music. Her solo program at Tivoli promises to attract an audience of dedicated Schubert enthusiasts. The Vier Impromptus, D 899 includes some of Schubert’s most beloved works, while the Wanderer-Fantasie, inspired by his song “Der Wanderer,” stands among his most virtuosic compositions. The evening culminates in the grand B-flat major Sonata, a masterpiece of monumental proportions and an artistic miracle that transcends music history to stand as a triumph of art itself.

Though a program devoted entirely to a single composer might seem repetitive, the pairing of Schubert’s endless musical depth with Leonskaja’s extraordinary interpretive skill ensures a dynamic and captivating experience. This is a “match made in heaven,” promising an evening overflowing with the richness of great art.

Leonskaja has spent her life as a “musical archaeologist,” uncovering the profound essence of Schubert’s vast and complex legacy—a legacy that was largely unrecognised during his brief lifetime. In her hands, Schubert’s music finds its ultimate interpreter. She masterfully conveys the full spectrum of emotions contained within these technically and musically demanding works, from the delicate joy of spring and youthful exuberance to the profound depths of despair and life’s existential mysteries. 

Schubert’s music, like no other, captures the entire range of human emotion: from jubilant energy and radiant optimism to the haunting pain of life’s greatest questions—Is life worth living? If you are fortunate enough to secure a ticket to this extraordinary concert, you may leave not only with a greater appreciation of Schubert’s genius but perhaps a step closer to finding an answer yourself.