Jean-Yves Thibaudet, Martha Argerich, and Kit Armstrong perform Debussy and Liszt

As part of of the thrilling third edition of Lucerne's Le Piano Symphonique festival, the unparalleled Martha Argerich—pianiste associée of this year's star-studded event—is joined by fellow pianists Jean-Yves Thibaudet and Kit Armstrong in a program of magnificent works by Debussy and Liszt.

Debussy’s Petite Suite evokes the idyllic nature and dreamlike serenity of the aristocratic country outings depicted in Verlaine’s collection Fêtes galantes. Performed in its original duet setting, Martha Argerich and Jean-Yves Thibaudet join forces to bring the piece’s enchanting melodies to life. The multi-talented Kit Armstrong, a virtuoso pianist as well, then demonstrates his incredible skill on the organ in Liszt’s Fantasia and Fugue on the Chorale “Ad nos, ad salutarem undam”. Composed in 1848, it was the first of Liszt’s organ works and was inspired by Giacomo Meyerbeer’s opera Le prophète. The “Ad nos, ad salutarem undam” is the call to repentance and revolution that the trio of Anabaptists sing in Act I of the opera—a theme that is cleverly transformed and developed by Liszt throughout the duration of his work.

Photos: Jean-Yves Thibaudet © Andrew Eccles / Martha Argerich © Adriano Heitman