Leif Ove Andsnes

The New York Times describes Leif Ove Andsnes as 'a pianist of magisterial elegance.'

The Norwegian pianist has assembled a programme as part of Southbank Centre's year-long focus on the Nordic regions, Nordic Matters.

Sibelius' music is shot through with atmospheres by turns tender and chilling. Schubert's Three Pieces, D.946 draw on songful idioms to explore mysterious inner worlds.

Their extreme emotions are echoed by the German composer Jörg Widmann in his tribute to Schubert, Idyll and Abyss.

The second half matches Beethoven's turbulent and reflective Sonata in D minor (The Tempest), with two Chopin works that show the composer at his most dramatic – the C minor Nocturne and the mighty Ballade No.1.

Performers
Leif Ove Andsnes - piano

Repertoire
Sibelius: The Birch, Op.75 No.4; Impromptu, Op.97 No.5; Rondino in C sharp minor, Op.68 No.2; The Shepherd, Op.58 No.4; Romance in D flat, Op.24 No.9
Jörg Widmann: Idyll & Abgrund (Idyll & Abyss) (6 Schubert Reminiscences) for piano
Schubert: 3 Piano pieces, D.946
Interval
Beethoven: Sonata in D minor, Op.31 No.2 (Tempest)
Chopin: Nocturne in B, Op.62 No.1; Ballade No.1 in G minor, Op.23