CSOradio
CSOradio
Known for his acclaimed interpretations of Mozart piano concertos and Bach piano works, among others, Sir András Schiff is one of the most admired pianists performing today.
His discography as a pianist also features much-praised accounts of sonatas by Beethoven and Schubert.
But the Hungarian-born pianist and conductor has recorded a whole lot else, including the music of Scarlatti, Haydn, Brahms, Mendelssohn and Tchaikovsky. Schiff recorded all five Beethoven piano concertos with the Staatskapelle Dresden led by Bernard Haitink, and the three piano concertos of his Hungarian compatriot Bela Bartók, with the Budapest Festival Orchestra, led by Iván Fischer.
Ahead of his SCP Piano recital Nov. 12, here is Schiff discussing some of favorite composers, artists and instrument brands, along with a mention of his most acclaimed recordings.
His favorite pianists: Among the many masters of the keyboard, Schiff has singled out the following for being the most influential — Artur Schnabel, Alfred Cortot, Sergei Rachmaninov, Annie Fischer, Radu Lupu and Murray Perahia.
His keyboard maker of choice: Since childhood, Schiff has favored Bösendorfer grand pianos. “For me, Bösendorfer best represents the Central European music tradition: history, tradition and a connection to the past,” he has said. “All instruments try to imitate the human voice, and the Bösendorfer piano does it on a very, very high level.”
His connection to Bach: Throughout his career, Schiff has focused on the works of J. S. Bach, whom he describes as a “great scientist who systematically set new challenges for himself, which he then solved at the highest level possible.” To start each day, Schiff plays an hour of Bach. This habit explains his knowledge of the composer’s complete keyboard output by heart.
His thoughts on the sustain pedal: When performing Bach, Schiff avoids using the sustain pedal, following the advice of renowned harpsichordist George Malcolm (1917-1997). “He told me not to play Bach with the pedal, but to play it with your hands and not with your feet.” For Bach’s keyboard music, Schiff is known for marrying “a singing tone and full palette of pianistic colors with a clarity of texture and structure, while also appreciating the flexibility and natural rubato of this music.”
His best recordings: Of the many recordings that Schiff has made over his long career, these four discs often pop on many lists. Schubert: Piano Sonatas D894 & D960, Moments musicaux, Four Impromptus (D 935), (ECM 4811572). Mendelssohn: Piano Concertos 1 & 2, Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra with Charles Dutoit (Decca 4146722). Bartók: Piano Concertos, Budapest Festival Orchestra with Iván Fischer (Elatus 0927467352). Bach: Goldberg Variations, recorded in 2001 and released in 2003 (ECM 4721852)
BBC Music magazine gave it a rave: “Twenty years after his first Goldbergs recording (Decca, 1982), András Schiff returns to the work with a performance that improves on its already impressive predecessor. In this live recording, Schiff achieves a purer sound quality and greater sensitivity in his playing. It is, at times, hard to believe this note-perfect performance is recorded live, captured from a concert in Basel.”
