Igor Levit performs Beethoven sonata cycle at Musikverein

Pianist Igor Levit is performing a complete cycle of Beethoven’s 32 piano sonatas at the Musikverein in Vienna. The project is structured into eight concert evenings, with the first four taking place in October and the remaining four scheduled for February 2027.

Levit’s interpretations are noted for their high level of concentration, precision, and dramatic contrast. His approach emphasizes extreme shifts between intense, rapid passages and contemplative, slow movements. The performances have highlighted both well-known works, such as the ‘Waldstein’ Sonata, and lesser-known pieces like the Opus 49 sonatas and the Opus 54 sonata, which he has presented with renewed depth and subtlety.

Critics have observed that Levit’s performances aim for a sense of narrative unity, treating the cycle like an epic poem. Despite a minor interruption caused by a mobile phone during one performance, the series has been characterized by its intellectual rigor and emotional range.