Maybe it's not so surprising that the musicians one has long thought of as true Menschen of the profession - that applies to both sexes, of course, and maybe it's just more about the artists in question being natural communicators - have been among the first to rally in the current crisis.
Today it's time to highlight two pianists: Igor Levit, at home in Berlin (which was one of the first cities to feel the effect of lockdown; Levit pictured below by Peter Meisel), quickly launched an evening series live via Twitter, 18:00 UK time, 19:00 CET. The sound is terrible, the playing magnificent enough to get you through all that. Yesterday he wrote "this is what keeps my inner light burning at the moment". On 13 March, Boris Giltburg wrote on Twitter "Totally inspired by what @igorpianist is doing with the livestream home concerts. I’m on my way from the States, but once home, I’m raring to join in. Don’t wanna compete with Igor for the time slot, so will probably do mine as lunchtime concerts."And Giltburg is proving as good as his word, daring the other day to heavenstorm with Beethoven's Op. 111 Sonata. Tune in to @BorisGiltburg at noon UK time (13:00 CET) today for his latest offering, four of Liszt's Transcental Etudes.
Giltburg has also launched a major project to learn, record, and comment on all 32 Beethoven piano sonatas, so far launching one release every second Friday, so that will be another bonus next week (check in to https://beethoven32.com/). He's also an excellent writer, so the performances are accompanied by short, insightful mini-essays. And since we all need long-term listening or learning projects to keep us occupied - all the Bach cantatas, anybody? - this whole series has already given, and will continue to give, serious pleasure. Catch the first batch in time for your update next Friday.
- Just to repeat, evening concerts from @igorpianist, lunchtimes from @BorisGiltburg
- Giltburg's Beethoven32 project
- Read classical music reviews on theartsdesk