Pianist Mitsuko Uchida appeared at the Perelman Theater in Philadelphia on Friday, April 4, 2025, presented by the Philadelphia Chamber Music Society (PCMS). By all standards, it was a brilliant evening.

Before the recital, there was a Pre-concert Conversation by Jeffrey Kallberg in the Comcast Center, an intimate forum in the Kimmel Center. Dr. Kallberg spoke in great detail, and with great affection about, the Beethoven and Schubert. These Pre-concert Conversations are often wonderfully insightful. This conversation was especially so. 

Philadelphia was especially blessed these past weeks with outstanding pianists. Consider that on March 19, we had Vikingur Olafsson, on the 21st, Leif Ove Andsnes, on the 23rd, Lang Lang, Zoltan Fejervari on the 25 (also on the same day, Jan Lisiecki in Princeton), then Mitsuko Uchida as soloist and conductor with the Mahler Chamber Orchestra in Princeton. As you might now be saying to yourself, Zut Alors! However, we were blessed with a second appearance only days later by a magnificent recital by Ms. Uchida at the Perelman. Or should we say Dame Mitsuko, as she was recently created a Dame Commander of the British Empire.

Mitsuko Uchida for all appearances, seems surprised by the sold-out houses she inspires, and this night was no exception. Indeed, the Beethoven was exceptional, and the concluding masterpiece by Schubert was by turns poetic, inciteful, then incendiary. Astonishing pianism of the first order was on display. Many times during the Schubert, one was shocked and elated by the realization that this work undoubtedly inspired Franz Liszt, as it is so monumental and so  inspiring.

After the last chords were struck, the entire hall rose to its collective feet to bathe this phenomenal artist in waves of love and admiration. This was truly a life-enhancing experience to be remembered and cherished. 

The PCMS season continues with many more lustrous events well into May 2025. 

The new 2025-2026 Season has also been announced. For information about all of these, visit: www.pcmsconcerts.org .

Program

Beethoven: Sonata in E Minor, Op. 90    (1814)
Schoenberg: Drei Klavierstücke, Op. 11 (1909)
Kurtág: Márta ligaturája.                           (2020)
(attacca – please no applause)
Schubert: Sonata in B-flat Major, D. 960 (1828)

Running time: Approximately 2 hours (including intermission)