Franz Schubert - Four Hands (Bertrand Chamayou; Leif Ove Andsnes)

Information

Composer: Franz Schubert

• Fantasia for Piano Four-Hands in F Minor, Op. Posth. 103, D. 940
• Allegro for Piano Four-Hands in A Minor, Op. Posth. 144, D. 947 "Lebensstürme"
• Fugue for Piano Four-Hands in E Minor, Op. Posth. 152, D. 952
• Rondo for Piano Four-Hands in A Major, Op. 107, D. 951

Bertrand Chamayou & Leif Ove Andsnes, piano 4-hands

Date: 2025

Label: Warner Classics

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Bertrand Chamayou and Leif Ove Andsnes join forces to record Schubert’s Fantasia in F minor, composed in 1828 and regarded as one of the greatest works for two pianists at one piano. They first performed it together in 2016 at the Rosendal Chamber Music Festival, drawn together by a shared mentor, Jacques de Tiège. Both emphasize the intimacy and unity required to perform the piece, describing it as a musical collaboration where they must “become one.” On the album, Andsnes plays primo in the Fantasia and the Rondo in A major, while Chamayou assumes primo for the Allegro in A minor and the Fugue in E minor.

Bertrand Chamayou, born in Toulouse in 1981, is a French pianist celebrated for his interpretations of Romantic music and contemporary works. A three-time winner of France’s Victoire de la Musique Classique, he studied at the Toulouse Conservatory and Paris Conservatory under Jean-François Heisser, later receiving guidance from Maria Curcio, Leon Fleisher, Dmitri Bashkirov, and Murray Perahia. Chamayou has performed with major orchestras worldwide, including the Gewandhaus Orchestra and Cleveland Orchestra, and appeared at prestigious festivals such as Mostly Mozart and Edinburgh International. He is also a dedicated chamber musician and has recorded extensively for Naïve, Sony Classical, and Erato, earning critical acclaim for works by Ravel, Saint-Saëns, Messiaen, and Satie.

Leif Ove Andsnes, born in 1970 in Karmøy, Norway, is the country’s leading pianist, known for his interpretations of Romantic repertoire with a special affinity for Grieg, while also performing works from Mozart to the 20th century. A prodigious talent, he studied at the Bergen Conservatory under Jiri Hlinka and gave his debut recital in Oslo in 1987. He has performed with top orchestras worldwide, appeared at major festivals including the BBC Proms and Carnegie Hall, and founded the Risør Festival of Chamber Music. Andsnes has an extensive discography of around 75 recordings for labels including Virgin Classics, EMI, Warner Classics, and Sony Classical, earning critical acclaim and multiple Grammy nominations.

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