Elisabeth Leonskaja, Piano
Julius Drake, Piano

For Franz Schubert, Vienna was not only his hometown but also a significant source of inspiration. Yet, he often sought respite in nature, where he could freely and undisturbedly nurture his musicality. Both in Vienna and the countryside, he performed intimate house concerts for culturally inclined admirers, known as Schubertiades, often improvising the program on the spot.

Renowned pianist Elisabeth Leonskaja, who performs on major stages worldwide and calls Vienna her home, similarly retreats to Semmering for the summer. This time, she presents her personal Schubertiade, performing solo and in duet with Julius Drake, a highly esteemed Lied pianist. Together, they will showcase two- and four-handed pieces by Schubert.

This premiere in their collaboration follows the tradition of house concerts, where four-handed playing was common in Schubert’s time. Julius Drake highlights the vocal elements in Schubert’s works, known as the “Prince of Song.” The key pieces of the evening, the early Sonata in A minor and the Grand Duo, reflect a grand orchestral thinking that bridges the intimate salon with the concert hall, a recognition Schubert rarely received during his lifetime. The remaining program will be a surprise, adhering to the house concert tradition among friends.