Elisabeth Leonskaya

Elisabeth Leonskaja is considered among the great legendary Russian pianists, together with Sviatoslav Richter, Emil Gilels and more. Her exceptional talent was discovered early and she began studying at the Moscow Conservatory. At that point, she had already debuted as a soloist in Tbilisi, Georgia, where she was born. 

Since 1978 she has lived in Vienna, which was also the hometown of Franz Schubert. Here, we will hear her perform one of Schubert’s piano sonatas. Previously, Shubert had mainly sold his songs to publishers, but with this sonata, he quickly became a favourite among contemporary critics. It is a majestic piece that uncovers the entire emotional spectrum of humankind.

Mozart and Schumann also spent lengthy periods in Vienna. That is likely also where Mozart composed the Sonata in A-major, with its famous final movement – Rondo alla Turca. Robert Schumann was unable to be a concert pianist himself due to paralysis in one hand, but the piano was always central for him. His Kinderszenen, Kreisleriana, Papillons and the Piano Concerto are among the most beloved Romantic pieces for piano, and they are also the most demanding symphonic etudes that Elisabeth Leonskaja will take on here.

Konserthuset Play!
The music to the great ballets Rite of Spring, The Firebird and Petrushka are Stravinsky’s best known and most played works. In this concert video, with Chief Conductor Sakari Oramo, the Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra plays the concert version of Petrushka. Listen