Paul Lewis, Piano

Beethoven and Schubert pushed the boundaries of the piano sonata, redefining the genre in ways that still resonate today. In turn, Paul Lewis—one of the most sought-after pianists of his generation—has redefined how we hear and understand their music. In his highly anticipated return to our series, this beloved pianist will trace the ongoing evolution of the sonata, pairing a bold new work written for him by Austrian composer Thomas Larcher with Beethoven’s early Op. 10, No. 1—lauded by his contemporary Carl Czerny for its “profound sentiment and delicacy”—and Schubert’s expansive, haunting final sonata, composed just weeks before the composer’s death. Following an acclaimed international tour performing and recording the complete Schubert piano sonata cycle, Lewis believes that “Schubert’s sonatas express with directness and sincerity some of the most fundamental elements of human experience: longing, consolation, despair, joy, loss, nostalgia, and hope. In our time, his music is as essential and poignant as ever.” Expect an evening of music that won’t just move you—it will reshape the way you listen.