The recital also includes works by Poulenc and Debussy
English pianist Paul Lewis returns to the Auditorio de Tenerife on Tuesday (May 19) at 7.30 p.m. to open a cycle exploring Mozart’s piano sonatas, beginning next week and continuing until autumn next year. The programme in the Chamber Hall will extend beyond Mozart to include works by Francis Poulenc and Claude Debussy.
Lewis notes that ‘I have long wanted to spend time with Mozart’s piano sonatas, and I have questioned the commonly held belief that these outstanding works are overshadowed by his piano concertos—seen as less original, less inspired and less compelling than their symphonic counterparts.’ He adds that ‘this series seeks to challenge that perception by placing the diverse qualities of this repertoire alongside works by other composers, revealing both contrasts with Mozart’s piano writing and, perhaps more subtly, points of connection.’
The first concert in the series will feature Mozart’s Piano Sonata No. 10, followed by Improvisations Nos. 7–12 by Francis Poulenc and L’isle joyeuse by Claude Debussy. After the interval, Paul Lewis will return with Poulenc’s Improvisations Nos. 1–6 and 13–15, bringing the recital to a close with Mozart’s Piano Sonata No. 14.
Lewis’s approach to curating programmes is shaped by his previous experience, including a similar project at the Auditorio de Tenerife, where he performed a cycle of Schubert piano sonatas exploring the complete sonatas from the composer’s final 12 years at venues worldwide. Considered one of the most distinguished interpreters of the Central European piano repertoire, Lewis was awarded a CBE for services to music. The honesty and depth of his musicianship have earned him widespread international recognition.
He appears with world-class orchestras including the Berlin Philharmonic, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, London Symphony Orchestra, Philharmonia Orchestra, Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra, NHK Symphony Orchestra, New York Philharmonic, Los Angeles Philharmonic, Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra and Leipzig’s Gewandhaus Orchestra. His strong ties with the Boston Symphony Orchestra led to his selection as Koussevitzky Artist at Tanglewood in 2020.The tickets can be purchased at a single price of €15 and €5 for audiences under 30 on the website www.auditoriodetenerife.com, at the auditorium’s box office, or by dialling the phone number 902 317 327 from Monday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., except on public holidays. Check the special discounts for students, unemployed people and large families, among others.