Internationally famed pianist Igor Levit performed Wednesday, October 30, 2024, at Princeton University.  He played music by the three Bs: Bach, Chromatic Fantasy and Fuge in D Minor, BWV 903; Brahms, Ballades, Op.10; and Beethoven, Symphony No. 7 in A Major, Op. 92 (Arranged for piano by Franz Liszt). 

The recital was the annual Paderewski Memorial Concert, under the auspices of Princeton University Concerts, and the venue was the splendid Richardson Auditorium in Alexander Hall. 

Mr. Levit has in a short span of years, established himself as “one of the most important artists of his generation,” according to The New York Times. In the 2024-2025 season, he will perform in many world capitals, such as New York, Vienna, Berlin, Amsterdam, Milan, Rome, etc. His recording of Beethoven has won awards. It is no wonder that his Princeton recital was sold out for weeks.

Igor Levit walked briskly across the stage, bowed left, right, and center, and performed Bach. He was encircled in a pool of faint light amid a darkened house. The effect was transfixing. Nothing distracted from the music, the man, and his mission. Indeed, this fantasy was surprising, in that there are several versions of it extant, as Lucy Caplan explained in her interesting program notes. As she wrote, this leads the performer, “open to constant reimagination.” It was beautifully rendered by the artist.

Next were the four Brahms Ballades. In 1854, he was a young man, being born in 1833. Moody, introspective works gave way to startling, incandescent statements accomplished with utmost eclat by the pianist.

Audience concentration was intense. Their acclaim was warm indeed.

After the interval, came a barn-storming transcription for piano by none other than the legendary Franz Liszt in 1863 of Beethoven’s Seventh Symphony. It was totally amazing. The piano became an entire orchestra realizing one of Beethoven’s greatest works. Amidst the towering chords and quiet raptures, Mr. Levit could be seen elfishly winking at the audience while playing a certain passage or three. For this he used a score and a page turner. Again transfixed in a pale circle of light, one listener slipped often into transports and magical reveries.  One saw visions of naked, muscular angels spinning, dancing and cavorting in Heaven, in ecstatic, ekphrastic dance. Engulfed by and transfixed by his splendor of pianism, one was irresistibly enraptured. 

As certain as Death, the music concluded,  to an avalanche of acclaim, a standing ovation so intense that Igor Levit was recalled to the stage several times. Absolutely fabulous; Absolutely wonderful.

Princeton University Concerts (PUC) continue well into next year. Although many events are sold out, tickets may be returned, while some seats to some events are still available.  For more information, visit their website,  www.puc.princeton.edu .