The young French pianist begins by performing Schumann’s Humoreske, Op. 20, an often overlooked but playful and inspired masterpiece of the composer, alluding to his literary idol Jean Paul. “I’ve been at the piano all week, composing and writing and laughing and crying, all at the same”, wrote Schumann to his wife Clara, elaborating that “this state of affairs” is nicely evoked in Humoreske. The concert continues with Mendelssohn’s Variations sérieuses, Op. 54, written in honor of Beethoven and considered the composer’s most significant contribution to the piano repertoire.

Photo © Sylvain Gelineau Photographism