Michail Lifits
Pianomania / Poland
Since winning the Busoni Piano Competition in Bolzano in 2009, Michail Lifits has become one of the most respected pianists of his generation. He was born in Uzbekistan and studied in Italy initially before refining his technique under notable teacher Karl-Heinz Kämmerling in Hannover. He performed his orchestral debut with the National Symphony Orchestra of Uzbekistan in 1995 – further concert engagements took him to New York’s Carnegie Hall. At the Elbphilharmonie he now opens the »Pianomania« series, which is dedicated to preludes this season, with a highly influential cycle of works of this genre: Chopin’s 24 Preludes, Op. 28 – one in each of the twenty-four keys, inspired by Johann Sebastian Bach.
The Russian composer Dmitri Shostakovich wrote history with his symphonies and chamber music above all else. But with his 24 Preludes, Op. 34, he discovered a very different sound language, one which Michail Lifits has perfectly mastered. The 24 very different miniature pieces are admired for their humour and mystery, and Lifits was praised by reviewers for »allowing the punchlines to light up without losing himself in mere gags«. »He also presents the young Shostakovich as a great psychologist.«
Performers
Michail Lifits piano
Programme
Frédéric Chopin
24 Préludes op. 28
– Interval –
Dmitri Schostakowitsch
24 Präludien op. 34
Encore:
Frédéric Chopin
Nocturne cis-Moll op. posth. BI 49
Subscription
Pianomania
Series
Piano Recitals
Festival
Poland