Francesco Piemontesi

The Swiss-Italian pianist Francesco Piemontesi has an extensive list of achievements and numerous critically acclaimed recordings, and he is renowned for his interpretations of the German classical and romantic repertoire. The Wall Street Journal has highlighted his keen sense of detail, noting that Piemontesi’s ‘deep affinity for the music is evident in the way he captures the ebb and flow of each movement.’ Piemontesi himself has expressed that music feels like an existential necessity and that he wishes to let the audience ‘participate in the deep dimensions of music’.

The pianist regularly performs on prestigious stages with orchestras around the world. During this year’s Festival, audiences will have the chance to experience Piemontesi solo in the atmospheric medieval hall Håkonshallen. This Festival concert opens with Schubert’s Grazer Fantasy and Four Impromptus and concludes with Liszt’s Sonata for Piano in B minor after the interval.

Photo: Camille Blake

Contributors

• Francesco Piemontesi piano

Works

• Franz Schubert (1797–1828)*
  Fantasy in C major, D.605a, Grazer Fantasy

• Franz Schubert (1797–1828)
  Four Impromptus, D. 935 (Op. posth. 142)
  1. F minor, Allegro moderato
  2. A-flat major, Allegretto
  3. B-flat major, Theme and Variations (Andante)
  4. F minor, Allegro scherzando

• Interval

• Franz Liszt (1811–1886)
  Piano Sonata in B minor, S. 178

*Programme change: Mozart's Rondo in A minor is replaced with Scubert's Grazer Fantasy. The programme is updated 26 May.

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