Paul Lewis

Paul Lewis is one of today's most celebrated interpreters of Classical repertoire.

In a new series, the British pianist brings together three key figures, Haydn, Beethoven and Brahms, tracing the thread of musical heritage from one to the next.

Tonight's programme is bookended by two sparkling Haydn sonatas that show the composer at his most witty.

Beethoven, who was for a time Haydn's pupil, almost trumps the senior composer at that game in his late Bagatelles, Op.126. In these six brief pieces, punchy inventiveness rubs shoulders with profound lyricism.

Brahms' Op.118 also consists of six contrasting pieces, but these encapsulate emotions ranging from impassioned extroversion to the most haunted, darkly reflective inner journeys.

Repertoire
Haydn: Sonata in C, Hob.XVI/50
Beethoven: 6 Bagatelles, Op.126
Interval
Brahms: 6 Pieces, Op.118
Haydn: Sonata in G, Hob.XVI/40