Bach, Mozart and Schumann

András Schiff is one of the world’s most distinguished concert pianists. He brings the music into the sharpest possible focus – without ever losing its magic. He often appears as both conductor and soloist, as in this concert, which features Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 23 – one of his most frequently performed and beloved works.

It is framed by Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto No. 5, one of six concertos composed for Margrave Christian Ludwig of Brandenburg-Schwedt – and a true masterpiece of the Baroque era. It is a concerto grosso, characterised by a small group of soloists set against the full ensemble. In this case, flute, violin and harpsichord/piano take centre stage – and in the beautiful, atmospheric second movement, they perform alone, without the orchestra. These roles are taken by Royal Stockholm Philharmonic members: flautist Andreas Alin and concertmaster Andrej Power.

The concert concludes with Robert Schumann’s Symphony No. 1, the “Spring” Symphony – music written during a joyful period in Schumann’s life. He had just married Clara, his great passion and lifelong companion. Fittingly, the symphony opens with a resounding trumpet fanfare, and throughout, it is radiant, heartfelt and full of vitality.