Norwegian pianist and conductor Leif Ove Andsnes has been called “one of the most gifted musicians of his generation” by The Wall Street Journal. He has won worldwide acclaim, eleven Grammys nominations, and six Gramophone Awards. In 2012, Andnses partnered with the Mahler Chamber Orchestra for an ambitious multi-year project titled “The Beethoven Journey,” performing all five piano concertos in 15 countries across three continents. Recently, Andsnes and the Mahler Chamber Orchestra collaborated on their second multi-year project, “Mozart Momentum 1785/86,” exploring one of the most creative and productive periods of the composer’s career. Leif Ove Andsnes tells Alec about how the piano is his first language, how he prepares before a concert and what he feels all great pianists have in common.

You can listen to all of the music from this episode and other selections from Leif Ove Andsnes in a curated playlist here.

The following compositions are featured in this episode:

Grieg: Piano Concerto in A minor, Op. 16 – 1st movement - Allegro Molto Moderato

Leif Ove Andsnes (piano); Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra, Mariss Jansons

(With the kind permission of Warner Classics)

Ludwig van Beethoven, Piano Concerto No. 5 in E-Flat Major, Op. 73 "Emperor" : I. Allegro, Leif Ove Andsnes (piano)

(With the kind permission of Sony Classical)

Rachmaninov: Piano Concerto No. 2 in C minor, Op. 18 - 3rd movement – Allegro scherzando

Leif Ove Andsnes (piano); Berliner Philharmonic Orchestra, Antonio Pappano

(With the kind permission of Warner Classics)

Janáček: On The Overgrown Path Series 1 - JW 8/17: I. Our evenings (Moderato - Adagio)

Leif Ove Andsnes (piano); Mahler Chamber Orchestra

(With the kind permission of Warner Classics)

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Víkingur Ólafsson