Typically, a new soloist becomes known to the public by winning one or more awards at major international competitions. For Igor Levit, however, the numerous and significant distinctions he has earned in demanding competitions seem almost secondary compared to his other artistic achievements. By the age of 20, he had already recorded all five of Beethoven’s piano concertos, and by 32, in 2019, he recorded all 32 of Beethoven’s piano sonatas (Sony Classical), a recording that earned him accolades from the prestigious music magazine Gramophone and the title of Artist of the Year. During the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown, he performed 52 concerts from his home in Berlin via Twitter, playing nearly every evening a major work from the piano repertoire. This initiative caused a sensation online, reaching hundreds of thousands of viewers worldwide.
For his recital at the Megaron, Levit has chosen to perform works from the German classical and romantic repertoire, for which he is renowned, with the highlight being Beethoven’s emblematic “Eroica” Symphony in its brilliant, symphonic-toned piano transcription by Franz Liszt.
