Embark on a captivating journey through the annals of classical piano music with András Schiff's "Piano Odyssey," set to release on October 13, 2025, under Warner Classics. This extensive collection spans over four hours and twenty-three minutes, showcasing Schiff's virtuosity and deep connection with the repertoire. The album is a testament to his artistic prowess, featuring a diverse array of compositions from some of the most celebrated composers in classical music history.
András Schiff, renowned for his insightful interpretations and technical brilliance, curates a program that highlights his versatility and profound understanding of the piano repertoire. The album opens with a prelude by Handel and traverses through masterpieces by Schumann, Haydn, Smetana, Beethoven, Schubert, Mozart, Bartók, Dvořák, and more. Each piece is meticulously chosen to showcase the evolution of piano music, from the classical elegance of Haydn to the romantic intensity of Beethoven and the modern innovations of Bartók.
Schiff's renditions are marked by their clarity, precision, and emotional depth, offering a fresh perspective on familiar works while also introducing lesser-known gems. The album is a comprehensive exploration of the piano's expressive range, from the delicate nuances of Schumann's "Gesänge der Frühe" to the thunderous passion of Beethoven's "Appassionata" Sonata. Schiff's performances are not just technically impeccable but also deeply expressive, inviting listeners to appreciate the subtleties and complexities of each composition.
"Piano Odyssey" is more than just a collection of pieces; it is a carefully crafted journey through the piano repertoire, reflecting András Schiff's artistic vision and his commitment to the music he loves. Whether you are a seasoned classical music enthusiast or a newcomer to the genre, this album promises an enriching and rewarding listening experience.
Handel: Keyboard Suite in B-Flat Major, HWV 434: I. PreludeGeorge Frideric Handel, András Schiff
Schumann: Gesänge der Frühe, Op. 133: II. Belebt, nicht zu raschRobert Schumann, András Schiff
Haydn: Piano Sonata in G Major, Hob. XVI:40: II. PrestoJoseph Haydn, András Schiff
Smetana: 3 Poetic Polkas, Op. 8: No. 1 in E-Flat MajorBedřich Smetana, András Schiff
Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 4 in G Major, Op. 58: II. Andante con motoLudwig van Beethoven, András Schiff, Bernard Haitink, Staatskapelle Dresden
Schubert: Piano Trio No. 1 in B-Flat Major, Op. 99, D. 898: III. Scherzo. Allegro - TrioFranz Schubert, András Schiff, Miklós Perényi, Yuuko Shiokawa
Mozart: Piano Trio No. 4 in E Major, Op. 15 No. 2, K. 542: III. Finale. AllegroWolfgang Amadeus Mozart, András Schiff, Miklós Perényi, Yuuko Shiokawa
Veress: 6 Csárdás: No. 1, AllegrettoSándor Veress, András Schiff
Schumann: Gesänge der Frühe, Op. 133: IV. BewegtRobert Schumann, András Schiff
Handel: Keyboard Suite in B-Flat Major, HWV 434: IV. MenuetGeorge Frideric Handel, András Schiff
Smetana: 4 Polkas from the 1850s: No. 1 in E MajorBedřich Smetana, András Schiff
Haydn: Piano Sonata in E Minor, Hob. XVI:34: III. Finale. Molto vivaceJoseph Haydn, András Schiff
Bartók: Piano Concerto No. 3 in E Major, Sz. 119: I. AllegrettoBéla Bartók, András Schiff, Iván Fischer, Budapest Festival Orchestra
Schumann: Theme and Variations in E-Flat Major, WoO 24 "Geistervariationen": Variation VRobert Schumann, András Schiff
Veress: Hommage à Paul Klee: II. Feuerwind. Allegro moltoSándor Veress, András Schiff, Dénas Várjon, Heinz Holliger, Budapest Festival Orchestra
Haydn: Piano Sonata in G Minor, Hob. XVI:44: II. AllegrettoJoseph Haydn, András Schiff
Smetana: 3 Poetic Polkas, Op. 8: No. 2 in G MinorBedřich Smetana, András Schiff
Mozart: Trio for Clarinet, Viola and Piano in E-Flat Major, K. 498 "Kegelstatt": I. AndanteWolfgang Amadeus Mozart, András Schiff, Elmar Schmid, Erich Höbarth
Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 2 in B-Flat Major, Op. 19: III. Rondo. Molto allegroLudwig van Beethoven, András Schiff, Bernard Haitink, Staatskapelle Dresden
Schumann: Gesänge der Frühe, Op. 133: I. Im ruhigen TempoRobert Schumann, András Schiff
Haydn: Piano Sonata in C Major, Hob. XVI:48: II. Rondo. PrestoJoseph Haydn, András Schiff
Veress: Hommage à Paul Klee: V. Steinsammlung. AllegrettoSándor Veress, András Schiff, Dénas Várjon, Heinz Holliger, Budapest Festival Orchestra
Smetana: 4 Polkas from the 1850s: No. 3 in A MajorBedřich Smetana, András Schiff
Schumann: Kreisleriana, Op. 16: I. Äußerst bewegtRobert Schumann, András Schiff
Haydn: Piano Sonata in E-Flat Major, Hob. XVI:49: III. Finale. Tempo di menuettoJoseph Haydn, András Schiff
Smetana: 4 Polkas from the 1850s: No. 2 in G MinorBedřich Smetana, András Schiff
Schumann: Kreisleriana, Op. 16: V. Sehr lebhaftRobert Schumann, András Schiff
Haydn: Piano Sonata in E Minor, Hob. XVI:34: II. AdagioJoseph Haydn, András Schiff
Smetana: Memories of Bohemia in the Form of Polkas, Op. 13: No. 2 in E-Flat MajorBedřich Smetana, András Schiff
Schumann: Kreisleriana, Op. 16: VIII. Schnell und spielendRobert Schumann, András Schiff
Haydn: Piano Sonata in E-Flat Major, Hob. XVI:52: III. Finale. PrestoJoseph Haydn, András Schiff
Smetana: 3 Salon Polkas, Op. 7: No. 1 in F-Sharp MajorBedřich Smetana, András Schiff
Schumann: Nachtstücke, Op. 23: No. 4, EinfachRobert Schumann, András Schiff
Haydn: Piano Sonata in C Major, Hob. XVI:50: II. AdagioJoseph Haydn, András Schiff
Smetana: Memories of Bohemia in the Form of Polkas, Op. 12: No. 2 in E MinorBedřich Smetana, András Schiff
Schumann: Kreisleriana, Op. 16: VI. Sehr langsamRobert Schumann, András Schiff
Beethoven: Piano Sonata No. 23 in F Minor, Op. 57 "Appassionata": II. Andante con motoLudwig van Beethoven, András Schiff
Mozart: Piano Trio No. 3 in B-Flat Major, Op. 15 No. 1, K. 502: III. AllegrettoWolfgang Amadeus Mozart, András Schiff, Miklós Perényi, Yuuko Shiokawa
Schumann: Kreisleriana, Op. 16: III. Sehr aufgeregtRobert Schumann, András Schiff
Haydn: Piano Sonata in C Minor, Hob. XVI:20: III. Finale. AllegroJoseph Haydn, András Schiff
Dvořák: Piano Quartet No. 2 in E-Flat Major, Op. 87, B. 162: I. Allegro con fuocoAntonín Dvořák, András Schiff, Panocha Quartet
Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 5 in E-Flat Major, Op. 73 "Emperor": II. Adagio un poco mossoLudwig van Beethoven, András Schiff, Bernard Haitink, Staatskapelle Dresden
Haydn: Piano Sonata in E-Flat Major, Hob. XVI:49: I. AllegroJoseph Haydn, András Schiff
Beethoven: Piano Sonata No. 23 in F Minor, Op. 57 "Appassionata": III. Allegro ma non troppo - PrestoLudwig van Beethoven, András Schiff
Haydn: Piano Sonata in E-Flat Major, Hob. XVI:52: I. AllegroJoseph Haydn, András Schiff
Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 1 in C Major, Op. 15: III. Rondo. Allegro scherzandoLudwig van Beethoven, András Schiff, Bernard Haitink, Staatskapelle Dresden
Schubert: Piano Trio No. 1 in B-Flat Major, Op. 99, D. 898: IV. Rondo. Allegro vivaceFranz Schubert, András Schiff, Miklós Perényi, Yuuko Shiokawa
Bartók: Piano Concerto No. 1, Sz. 83: I. Allegro moderato - AllegroBéla Bartók, András Schiff, Iván Fischer, Budapest Festival Orchestra
Schubert: Piano Trio No. 2 in E-Flat Major, Op. 100, D. 929: II. Andante con motoFranz Schubert, András Schiff, Miklós Perényi, Yuuko Shiokawa
Haydn: Piano Sonata in G Minor, Hob. XVI:44: I. ModeratoJoseph Haydn, András Schiff