By Donato Cabrera│medium.com/@donatocabrera
August 9, 2020

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Over the years, I have so enjoyed listening and watching the masterclasses of Sir András Schiff. His command of the language of music is of the highest order and when he shares this knowledge, whether it’s through his lectures or masterclasses, there is always something for all of us to learn.

During 2004–2006, Schiff performed the complete Beethoven piano sonatas at London’s Wigmore Hall. Before each concert, Schiff gave a lecture recital for each sonata. All of these lectures are worth listening to, for they give a real insight into Beethoven’s musical journey.

András Schiff Beethoven Lecture-Recitals | Podcasts | Watch & Listen
Bach and Schiff have almost become synonymous and his recitals of the great composer have become well known throughout the world. To watch him teach this composer’s music is such a gift! Here is a wonderful masterclass of Bach’s Italian Concerto at Juilliard.

Another composer for whom Schiff is a respected interpreter is Schubert. In 2016, Schiff gave a series of masterclasses at The Royal College of Music in London and this particular masterclass focuses on Schubert’s Impromptus Op. 90.

One of the most illusive composers, Robert Schumann, requires a lucid intellect to interpret his music. Schiff’s masterclass of his incredible complex piece, Humoreske, is so wonderful!

Leoš Janáček is yet another composer whose music Schiff has championed and recorded throughout the years. Janáček’s music is full of extra-musical meaning and Schiff has a way of drawing it out in this revealing masterclass from 2017 at Wigmore Hall.