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Paul Lewis Fiftieth Birthday Concert

Paul Lewis performs Beethoven's Pathétique and Appassionata Sonatas, Mendelssohn's Songs without Words, Sibelius's Six Bagatelles and Chopin's Polonaise-fantaisie.

Internationally acclaimed pianist Paul Lewis celebrates his fiftieth birthday with his debut solo recital at the Barbican Hall in London. Beethoven is a composer central to Lewis's life, and he bookends his recital with two of the most popular of the Sonatas. In between comes perhaps less expected repertoire. Sibelius's Six Bagatelles are Lewis's lockdown discovery and he pairs them with another set of miniatures: Mendelssohn's Songs without Words are, says Lewis, 'perfect, lyrical miniatures – how can you not want to play them?’ Chopin's Polonaise-fantaisie, at once anguished, desperate and introspective, completes the programme.

Recorded in May and introduced by Martin Handley, including comments from Paul Lewis.

Beethoven: Piano Sonata No. 8 in C minor (Pathétique)
Mendelssohn: Songs without Words
No. 1 in E major, Op. 19
No. 3 in G minor, Op. 53
No. 2 in E flat major, Op. 53
No. 2 in A minor, Op. 19
No. 3 in E major, Op. 30
Sibelius: Six Bagatelles

8.20 pm
Interval Music (from CD)
Mark Padmore (tenor)
Richard Watkins (horn)
Paul Lewis (piano)

8.30 pm
Chopin: Polonaise No. 7 in A-flat major (Polonaise-fantaisie)
Beethoven: Piano Sonata No. 23 in F minor, Appassionata

Paul Lewis (piano)

2 hours, 28 minutes

Music Played

  • Ludwig van Beethoven

    Sonata No. 8 in C Minor, Op.13 'Pathetique'

    Performer: Paul Lewis.
  • Felix Mendelssohn

    Song without words 'Andante con moto' in E major Op.19, no.1

    Performer: Paul Lewis.
  • Felix Mendelssohn

    Song without Words 'Presto agitato' in G minor, Op.53, No.3

    Performer: Paul Lewis.
  • Felix Mendelssohn

    Song without Words 'Allegro non troppo' in E flat major Op.53, No.2

    Performer: Paul Lewis.
  • Felix Mendelssohn

    Song without Words, 'Andante Espressivo' in A minor, Op.19, No.2

    Performer: Paul Lewis.
  • Felix Mendelssohn

    Song without Words, 'Adagio non troppo' Op. 30, No.3;

    Performer: Paul Lewis.
  • Jean Sibelius

    6 Bagatelles, Op.97

    Performer: Paul Lewis.
  • Franz Schubert

    Auf dem Strom, D 943

    Singer: Mark Padmore. Performer: Richard Watkins. Performer: Paul Lewis.
    • Schubert: Schwanengesang.
    • HARMONIA MUNDI.
    • 15.
  • Frédéric Chopin

    Polonaise-Fantasy in A flat major, Op.61

    Performer: Paul Lewis.
  • Ludwig van Beethoven

    Sonata No. 23 in F Minor, Op.57 'Appassionata'

    Performer: Paul Lewis.
  • Claude Debussy

    'Cake Walk' from Children's Corner

    Performer: Paul Lewis.
  • Ludwig van Beethoven

    Symphony No 7 in A major, Op 92 (1st mvt)

    Orchestra: Scottish Chamber Orchestra. Conductor: Charles Mackerras.
    • The Beethoven Symphonies: Live from the Edinburgh Festival.
    • Hyperion.
    • 1.
  • Ludwig van Beethoven

    Symphony No 7 in A major, Op 92 (2nd mvt)

    Orchestra: Scottish Chamber Orchestra. Conductor: Charles Mackerras.
    • The Beethoven Symphonies: Live from the Edinburgh Festival.
    • Hyperion.
    • 2.
  • Ludwig van Beethoven

    Symphony No 7 in A major, Op 92 (3rd mvt)

    Orchestra: Scottish Chamber Orchestra. Conductor: Charles Mackerras.
    • Beethoven: The Symphonies: Sir Charles Mackerras.
    • Hyperion.
    • 3.
  • Ludwig van Beethoven

    Symphony No 7 in A major, Op 92 (4th mvt)

    Orchestra: Scottish Chamber Orchestra. Conductor: Charles Mackerras.
    • The Beethoven Symphonies: Live from the Edinburgh Festival.
    • Hyperion.
    • 4.

Broadcast

  • Wed 6 Jul 2022 19:30