30th Anniversary of the Sainokuni Saitama Arts Theater
Sir András Schiff Piano Recital

Sunday, December 15, 2024, 3:00 PM

Saitama Arts Theater / Concert Hall

Sir András Schiff (Piano)

The program will be announced on stage during the performance, accompanied by insightful commentary from Sir Schiff (with interpretation).

Saitama Arts Foundation

Agency for Cultural Affairs, Japan (Culture and Arts Promotion Subsidy)
Independent Administrative Institution for Arts and Culture

Sir András Schiff (Piano)

Born in Budapest in 1953, Sir András Schiff is celebrated as one of the foremost pianists of our time. He is particularly renowned for his interpretations of works by J.S. Bach, Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert, Schumann, Bartók, and Janáček. From 2004 onwards, he performed Beethoven’s complete cycle of 32 piano sonatas across more than 20 cities, with a live recording from Zurich’s Tonhalle released on ECM, earning numerous prestigious awards.
Sir Schiff is also a dedicated advocate for chamber music and has curated many festivals, including the Mondsee Music Weeks. Additionally, he nurtures young talent through his “Building Bridges” series. Beyond solo recitals, he has collaborated with leading orchestras and conductors worldwide. In recent years, he has embraced the dual role of pianist and conductor, founding the Capella Andrea Barca in 1999, an ensemble of distinguished international musicians.
His recent recordings include Schubert’s piano sonatas on fortepiano (2019), collaborations with clarinetist and composer Jörg Widmann, and Brahms’ piano concertos with the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment (2021). In 2023, he released a collection of J.S. Bach’s works on the clavichord.
In recognition of his contributions to music, Sir Schiff was knighted by the United Kingdom in 2014. Among many honors, he received the Bach Medal in 2022. In August 2023, at his 66th appearance at the Salzburg Festival, he was celebrated as a cornerstone of the festival’s history and was awarded a special badge adorned with rubies.
His book Music Comes Out of Silence was published in 2017 by Bärenreiter and Henschel (Japanese edition by Shunjusha).