Andrrius Schiff Critique

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The performance of András Schiff at La Maison Symphonique in Montreal centered around the sonatas of Mozart, Beethoven, Haydn and Schubert, for which the pianist is most celebrated. With András Schiff’s endlessly versatile interpretation and masterful artistry, the four sonatas formed a delightfully cohesive and compelling program. The audience gave a sincere standing ovation at the end, and the very generous pianist played another movement of Beethoven’s sonata to let the applause ebb down.

The concert started with Mozart’s B flat Major sonata. As most of Mozart’s other late works, the composer uses counterpoint in gallant style in order to make it elegant. However, the first movement of the sonata doesn’t have any extreme contrast or dynamics, …show more content…

In fact, Beethoven was in the sufferance of illness when he composed this sonata (Robert Cummings). This composition opened with a gentle, slow idea of strong spiritual character. The music sounded mesmeric, tranquil and choral-like. Schiff’s superb interpretation gave the first movement a serene atmosphere, rather valedictory. His delicate playing made each subsequent statement of the theme delineated and developed to a more lively second movement. He took time and energy to draw out the nuances in the modulation and throughout the entire second movement. However, he kept at the same time all the melody ideas in a deep serenity and a general mood of tranquility. His great interpretation gave this masterpiece an incredible complexity and depth. The agitated second and third movement overtakes the direction of the piece to a somber and ponderous music. Through Schiff’s amazing interpretation of the ritardando, audiences were able to visualize the composer’s disappointment and his deepest doubts. The highlight of the piece was definitely the final fugue. Schiff’s excellent sensitivity with Bach-like music is undisputed; his interpretation of Goldberg Variations is a good example. His unbelievable delicacy made the fugue sound serene, expressing, subtle and beautiful. The slow crescendo before returning to the tonic emphasizes the triumphant and ecstatic ending of this

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