«Spiritual virtuosity» is the title of two Piano Recitals which I played in Basel and St. Gallen in February 2026. The somewhat strange title refers to something that was most important to Franz Liszt both as a composer and a pianist. In 1847, after many years and countless voyages as a piano virtuoso, Liszt had had enough of the virtuoso circus. He no longer wanted to perform the same old bravura pieces over and over again to an audience looking for sensation. He longed for something more meaningful. In his compositions, he sought the «spiritual» aspect in music, the content, the transcendence. He was particularly inspired by the late works of Ludwig van Beethoven. My two concerts illustrated this development. The following works were on the program:

Sigismund Thalberg: Grande Fantaisie et Variations pour le Piano-Forte sur des motifs de l'Opéra Norma de Bellini Opus 12
Ludwig van Beethoven: Piano Sonata in E major Opus 109
Bernhard Ruchti: From the «Songs of The Wind»: No. 1 and 2
Franz Liszt: First Hungarian Rhapsody

For both concerts I had the privilege of welcoming a wonderful and most attentive audience. I look back on these concerts with great gratitude. I would particularly like to mention the introductory lecture I gave on the evening before the St. Gallen concert. It always gives me particular satisfaction to be able to share my enthusiasm for the background of music and the history of musical works with other people.

Photos from the St. Gallen concert: stgallerbild.ch