“Beethoven’s personal life may have been short on joy, but listening to Jonathan Biss leaves one feeling grateful that he was able to discover it in composing,” writes BBC Music Magazine.

Jonathan Biss, a thoughtful and prolific solo pianist who has made waves as an ambassador for classical music, makes his Pittsburgh recital debut. 

The program juxtaposes three Beethoven piano sonatas with two of the most original voices of the 21st century: Tyshawn Sorey and Kaija Saariaho. This conversation between the contemporary and the classical invigorates Beethoven’s beloved works. As Biss writes, “all three composers are radical; all three are profound.”

BEETHOVEN Piano Sonata No. 27 in E Minor, Op. 90

TYSHAWN SOREY For Anthony Braxton 

BEETHOVEN Piano Sonata No. 30 in E Major, Op. 109 

KAIJA SAARIAHO Arabesques et Adages 

BEETHOVEN Piano Sonata No. 21 in C Major, Op. 53, “Waldstein” 

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