Robert Schumann - Variations & Sonatas (Elisabeth Leonskaja)

Information

Composer: Robert Schumann

• Abegg Variations, Op. 1
• Papillons, Op. 2
• Symphonic Etudes, Op. 13
• Theme and Variations in E-Flat Major, WoO 24 "Geistervariationen"
• Piano Sonata No. 1 in F-Sharp Minor, Op. 11
• Piano Sonata No. 2 in G Minor, Op. 22

Elisabeth Leonskaja, piano

Date: 2026

Label: Warner Classics

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Renowned as one of the great pianists of our time, Elisabeth Leonskaja is acclaimed for her refined, virtuosic touch and distinguished presence on the world’s leading recital stages. In this Schumann anthology, she reveals both her deep affinity for the composer and the expressive clarity that defines her artistry. The recording offers a compelling testament to her interpretative insight, bringing poetic nuance and structural coherence to cycles such as Papillons, the Variations, and the Symphonic Etudes. Whether light and dance-like or technically demanding, these miniature forms are rendered with depth, elegance, and a profoundly Schumannesque sensibility.

Elisabeth Leonskaja, born 1945 in Tbilisi, is a renowned Russian pianist celebrated for her exceptional artistry. A prizewinner of prestigious competitions like the Enescu, Long-Thibaud, and Queen Elisabeth, her musical development was deeply shaped by her collaboration with Sviatoslav Richter. After leaving the Soviet Union in 1978, she settled in Vienna and built a distinguished international career, performing with top orchestras and conductors worldwide. Chamber music remains central to her artistry. Leonskaja has received numerous honors, including Austria’s Cross of Honor for Science and Art and Georgia’s Priestess of Art title. In 2020, she was awarded the ICMA Lifetime Achievement Award.