PIANO
Igor Levit | Iveta Apkalna | Chilly Gonzales | Malakoff Kowalski |
Lucerne Festival Orchestra | Johanna Summer
Program
CLAVIATOR MAXIMUS
When Igor Levit performed Beethoven’s Sinfonia eroica in Franz Liszt’s version for piano at the 2024 Piano Fest, you could not help but wonder whether this pianist had twelve fingers instead of the normal ten. The hyper-virtuoso Liszt transcribed Beethoven’s symphonies with his own limitless possibilities in mind — his son-inlaw Hans von Bülow once called him the “Claviator maximus.” But Levit has no need to shy away from Liszt and so, to open the 2025 Piano Fest, will continue this daring journey by playing the Seventh Symphony, the “apotheosis of the dance,” whose finale seems to spin out of control into a sheer frenzy. Just like Liszt, Johannes Brahms was also able to conjure from the piano keys “an orchestra of lamenting and jubilant voices,” as his mentor Robert Schumann put it when Brahms played for him in the fall of 1853 — a very apt description, indeed, of the four Ballades, Op. 10, composed not long after. Schumann himself is represented on Levit’s program by the great C major Fantasy, Op. 17: a musical declaration of love to his bride Clara Wieck and the “most passionate thing I ever made,” as Schumann affirmed.
Thu 29.05.
Piano Recital Igor Levit
18.30 KKL Luzern, Concert Hall
Igor Levit piano
Johannes Brahms
Ballades, Op. 10 22 min
Robert Schumann
Fantasy in C major, Op. 17 30 min
Ludwig van Beethoven/Franz Liszt
Symphony No. 7 in A major, Op. 92 40 min
CHF 150/120/80/50/30
Introduction to the Concert
17.30 | KKL Luzern, Auditorium with Susanne Stähr (in German)
A CLASS OF HIS OWN
Sometimes he sits at the piano and plays solo pieces that seem almost classical, tracing melodies that you simply can’t get out of your head. Sometimes he becomes a subversive rapper. Or he might spend some time opening our eyes and ears with a brief excursion into music theory. On his penultimate album, French Kiss, he even sang in French in homage to “la grande Nation.” He has collaborated with such pop stars as Feist, Drake, Peaches, and Jarvis Cocker and won a Grammy Award together with the electro duo Daft Punk. Oh, and he happens to hold the Guinness World Record for longest solo performance: he played for more than 27 hours at an event in Paris in 2009. It’s not that easy to pin down Jason Beck, aka Chilly Gonzales. But despite his prolific discography, one thing is clear: this unique piano entertainer is best experienced live onstage, where he prefers to wear a bathrobe and slippers. You never know what to expect from Chilly Gonzales — but it will definitely be entertaining! In Lucerne, Chilly Gonzales will perform with the young violinist Yannick Hiwat, presenting hits from his Solo Piano trilogy and other pieces.
Fri 30.05.
Chilly Gonzales 19.30 KKL Luzern, Concert Hall
Chilly Gonzales piano and vocals Yannick Hiwat violin and synthesizer
Chilly Gonzales music from the albums Solo Piano I, II, and III in new arrangements as well as new works
This concert has no intermission. The concert will end at about 21.30.
CHF 150/130/100/80/60/30
QUEEN OF THE ORGAN
The organ, at least as far as the popular image goes, seems to be in its element only in a church setting — often you can’t even see who is playing or how they are producing the sounds. But not so when it comes to the Latvian organist Iveta Apkalna, who has been shining a limelight on the instrument in the great concert halls. Which is why she will not be taking her place in the choir loft in front of the organ pipes in the KKL Luzern but at a console right on the stage. Apkalna has helped the “king of instruments” achieve fresh heights of glory, thanks not only to her phenomenal virtuosity and musicality but to her effect as a charismatic performer as well. When she was once asked why she bid adieu to the piano and turned to the organ, Apkalna replied that she preferred to work with her whole body, including her feet, hips, stomach, and back. And so she dances over manuals and pedals — a spectacle for ears and eyes alike — and, along the way, shows that the magnificent organ works of Johann Sebastian Bach and of contemporary American Minimalist composer Philip Glass have more in common than you might think: both are about transcendence and drive.
Sat 31.05.
Organ Recital Iveta Apkalna
17.00
KKL Luzern, Concert Hall
Iveta Apkalna organ
Philip Glass
Act III (conclusion) from the opera Satyagraha arranged for organ by Michael Riesman Music in Contrary Motion
Mad Rush total 35 min
Johann Sebastian Bach
Pièce d’Orgue in G major, BWV 572
Passacaglia in C minor, BWV 582
Chaconne from the Partita in D minor for solo violin, BWV 1004 arranged for organ by Matthias Keller total 40 min
This concert has no intermission.
CHF 90/60/30
Introduction to the Concert
16.00 | KKL Luzern, Auditorium with Susanne Stähr (in German)
SONGS & PIANO
From the outset, Igor Levit has conceived of his Piano Fest as the broadest possible celebration of this versatile keyboard instrument. Which is why illuminating the piano’s role as accompaniment to the singing voice is also a must. But in lieu of Schubert, Brahms, or Strauss, we hear the premiere of Malakoff Kowalski’s new album. The musician with the Hamburg sailor’s cap, who so stylishly walks a fine line between pop, jazz, and classical music, will introduce himself as a singer. He will pair piano miniatures by classical composers with poems by the American Beat poet Allen Ginsberg, which he has reinterpreted “syllable by syllable, line by line” as song lyrics, as Kowalski explains. “As intimate vocals, these texts strictly follow what the piano in the original, unmodified version presents as melody and harmony.” The result sounds like a cross between Tom Waits and David Bowie, Bill Evans and Kurt Weill. Kowalski will perform his Songs with Words with a true supergroup: Johanna Summer, who thrilled us in the last two editions of Piano Fest with her improvisations on Bach, Beethoven, and other composers, will be at the piano alongside Igor Levit and Chilly Gonzales.
Sat 31.05.
Kowalski, Levit, Summer & Gonzales
20.00
KKL Luzern, Concert Hall
Malakoff Kowalski vocals
Igor Levit piano
Johanna Summer piano Chilly Gonzales piano
Malakoff Kowalski
Songs with Words miniatures by Chopin, Schumann, Khachaturian, Ravel, Grieg, Beach, Tailleferre, Debussy, and Fauré, combined with sung poetry by Allen Ginsberg world premiere
In between, Igor Levit, Johanna Summer, Chilly Gonzales, and Malakoff Kowalski will play solo pieces of their own choice.
This concert has no intermission. The concert will end at about 21.30.
CHF 120/100/80/50/30
MOZART’S MAGIC
Not even the Lucerne Festival Orchestra can decline an invitation from Igor Levit. Between the Spring and Summer Festivals, the much-admired ensemble will perform yet again, this time focusing on Wolfgang Amadé Mozart. At the center of the closing concert is one of his most original piano concertos, Jenamy, which the legendary pianist Alfred Brendel once called a “wonder of the world.” Mozart wrote it at the age of 21 for the Parisian pianist Louise Victoire Jenamy, who must have been a fabulous virtuoso — to judge from the solo part, which whirls across the keys. But Mozart presents a heart-rending lament in the central movement that plunges into profound regions of the soul — Igor Levit refers to its “breathtaking depths.” By contrast, the Serenata notturna that opens the program displays an attitude of playing for the sheer pleasure of playing: no shadows are cast on this cheerfully entertaining music. The Haffner Symphony will conclude the program with vibrantly energetic musical fireworks — along with a quote from the composer’s opera The Abduction from the Seraglio, in which Osmin boasts that he will triumph. Mozart knew exactly how to entice his audience.
Sun 01.06.
Igor Levit & Lucerne Festival Orchestra
17.00
KKL Luzern, Concert Hall
Lucerne Festival Orchestra
Raphael Christ concertmaster and musical direction Igor Levit piano
Wolfgang Amadé Mozart
Serenade in D major, K. 239
Serenata notturna 13 min
Piano Concerto in E-flat major, K. 271 Jenamy
33 min
Symphony in D major, K. 385 Haffner
22 min
This concert has no intermission.
CHF 170/130/90/60/40
Introduction to the Concert
16.00 | KKL Luzern, Auditorium with Susanne Stähr (in German)
THANK YOU!
Without strong partners, great art would not be possible!
We sincerely thank all those who support our Piano Fest for their generous commitment.
Founding Partners
Berthold Herrmann and Mariann Grawe-Gerber
Partner
Thyll-Stiftung
Cooperation Partners
Canton and City of Lucerne, Grants and Subsidies | KKL Luzern, Event Partner | Luzern Tourismus | MetaDesign, Partner in Communication | Radio SRF 2 Kultur, Media Partner
Many thanks also go to the Lucerne Festival
Friends and to all those supporters who do not wish to be mentioned by name.
Lucerne Festival is a member of
Mobility Partner
As a Lucerne Festival Friend, you’ll get to know the artists from a different perspective — personally and beyond the stage. Join our international circle of music-loving supporters. We hope to see you!
PERKS OF BEING A LUCERNE FESTIVAL FRIEND:
lucernefestival.ch/en/ friends-benefits
We are happy to answer any of your questions: Isabelle Köhler | +41 (0)41 226 44 52 friends@lucernefestival.ch
Pianist Igor Levit meeting with Lucerne Festival Friends
BOARDS
FOUNDATION
LUCERNE FESTIVAL
Board of Trustees
Markus Hongler, Chairman*
Dr. Christian Casal, Treasurer*
Dr. Rolf Dörig*
Dr. Christoph Franz
Regula Gerber
Andrea Gmür-Schönenberger
Dr. Armin Hartmann
Dr. Christian Keller
Walter B. Kielholz*
Dr. Hariolf Kottmann
Michel M. Liès
Giovanna Maag
Anne-Sophie Mutter
Prof. Klaus Schwab
Anne Schwöbel*
Isabelle Welton*
Beat Züsli
* Committee
Honorary Chairman
Jürg R. Reinshagen
FOUNDATION LUCERNE FESTIVAL FRIENDS
Board of Trustees
Markus Hongler, Chairman
Dr. Christian Casal, Treasurer
Dr. Franz Egle
Andrea Gmür-Schönenberger
Elisabeth Oltramare
EXECUTIVE AND ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
Michael Haefliger
EXECUTIVE MANAGEMENT
Michael Haefliger
Danièle Gross Christiane Weber
Publishing Credits
Publisher Foundation Lucerne Festival | Executive and Artistic Director: Michael Haefliger
Hirschmattstrasse 13 | P.O. Box | CH–6002 Luzern t +41 (0)41 226 44 00 | info@lucernefestival.ch | lucernefestival.ch
Content and Editing Susanne Stähr, Malte Lohmann
English-Language Editor and Translator Thomas May
Proofreading Antje Reineke
Layout and Realization Flavia Gämperle
Printing Engelberger Druck AG, Stans
Photos Thomas Rabsch (cover) – Manuela Jans/Lucerne Festival (Friends)
This program was published in October 2024 and is subject to alteration without prior notice. Printed prices are subject to correction.
TICKETING INFORMATION
Online ticket sales begin on 12 November 2024, 12.00 noon (Swiss time)
Mail sales begin on 13 November 2024
Telephone sales begin on 13 November 2024
Mon–Fri from 10.00 am to 12.00 noon (Swiss time) also from 2.00 to 4.00 pm between 15 and 17 November 2024 during our festivals always from 10.00 am to 12.00 noon (Swiss time) and from 2.00 to 4.00 pm
Ticket sales at the Lucerne Festival ticket window Tickets will be available for purchase at the Lucerne Festival ticket window near the main entrance of the KKL Luzern (on the lakeside) between 29 May and 1 June 2025, daily from 2.00 pm until the evening’s concert begins.
The Festival Package for Piano Fans If you purchase tickets to three events at our 2025 Piano Fest by 30 April 2025 (please see the order form for selection), you will receive a 5% discount compared to the price for separately purchased single tickets for seats in categories 1–3.
Please note: KKL vouchers will no longer be redeemable with us starting in September 2024.
Please see the General Terms and Conditions of Lucerne Festival at lucernefestival.ch/en/gtc
Sales & Visitor Services
Lucerne Festival | P.O. Box | CH–6002 Luzern
t +41 (0)41 226 44 00 | ticketbox@lucernefestival.ch | lucernefestival.ch
TICKET ORDER FORM
Piano Fest | 29 May–1 June 2025
Online ticket sales begin on 12 November 2024, 12.00 noon (Swiss time)
Mail and telephone sales begin on 13 November 2024
Thu 29.05. 18.30 Piano Recital Igor Levit Fri 30.05. 19.30 Chilly Gonzales
Total amount CHF
The Festival Package for Piano Fans
If you purchase tickets to the events on 29 May, 31 May (17.00 pm), and 1 June at our 2025 Piano Fest by 30 April 2025, you will receive a 5% discount compared to the price for a single ticket in the categories 1–3.
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If no other seat is available, I would like to choose the next highest category next lowest category
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Lucerne Festival
Sales & Visitor Service | P.O. Box | CH–6002 Luzern t +41 (0)41 226 44 00 | ticketbox@lucernefestival.ch | lucernefestival.ch