Colours, impressions, memories and drama - the piano turns storyteller, with Beethoven's monumental Hammerklavier Sonata as the climax.
In 2012 Andreas Haefliger returns to Sydney with a recital program that exploits his brilliant technique, his ear for colour and his commanding expression. Liszt's musical tour of Switzerland follows in the footsteps of Byron, taking in the chapel of William Tell, the valley of Obermann, the bells of Geneva and the tug of homesickness.
In music by Debussy, delicate variations of colour and light can be heard as bells through the leaves, goldfish, and the moon descending over 'the temple that was' -- three fascinating pictures from the imagination.
But behind Debussy and Liszt stands Beethoven with his mighty Hammerklavier Sonata. It's a solitary monument among Beethoven's late sonatas, taking composer, musician, and listener to the outer limits with its grand conception and fiery and passionate sounds.
The welcome soloist was Andreas Haefliger, whose easy command of the keyboard meant that lyricism shone through even in the most technically demanding moments.
The Times
LISZT Years of Pilgrimage: Book I (Switzerland): Selections
DEBUSSY Images, Series 2
BEETHOVEN Hammerklavier Sonata, Op.106
Andreas Haefliger piano
Hear Andreas Haefliger play Beethoven's Piano Concerto No.2 on 10, 11, 12 May.
AUDIO PLAYER LISTING
Track 1 - LISZT Years of Pilgrimage - Book 1 (Switzerland): Vallee d'Obermann
Track 2 - DEBUSSY Images Book 2: Poissons d'or
Zoltan Kocsis (piano)
DECCA ELOQUENCE 475 8051
Track 3 - BEETHOVEN Sonata No.29 in B flat, Op.106 'Hammerklavier': 1st movement
Track 4 - BEETHOVEN Sonata No.29 in B flat, Op.106 'Hammerklavier': 2nd movement
Mitsuko Uchida (piano)
Philips 475 8662
Audio kindly supplied by Silver Partner Universal Music