With Benjamin Grosvenor, the United Kingdoom once again has a pianist who can easily match the unforgettable performances of distinguished British predecessors such as Clifford Curzon or John Ogdon. Very British. Absolutely amazing. A true virtuoso, but also a romantic with an intense feeling, an outstanding playing technique and an excellent sense of tone color. Absolutely ideal conditions for Schumann and Liszt, and Grosvenor has chosen for his recital two of the greatest Romantic piano works, which also have a warm relationship to each other. For Schumann dedicated his immortal C major Fantasy to the piano giant Liszt, who in turn thanked him by dedicating his monolithic B minor Sonata to Schumann. “The sonata is beautiful beyond all comprehension,” commented Richard Wagner, who presumably saw his own artistic ambitions reflected in the almost orchestral flare and soaring of this piano music. Between these two romantic classics, Benjamin Grosvenor interposes a world premiere – an “Homage à Liszt” by the Australian Brett Dean as a composition commissioned by “Le Piano Symphonique”.
