Program

Ludwig van Beethoven, Sonata for Cello and Piano No. 2 in G Minor, Op. 5 No. 2

1 Adagio sostenuto ed espressivo – Allegro molto più tosto presto

2. Rondo: Allegro

Ludwig van Beethoven, Sonata for Violin and Piano No. 9 in A Major, Op. 47, "Kreutzer Sonata"

1. Adagio sostenuto – Presto

2. Andante con variazioni

3. Presto

Claude Debussy, En blanc et noir, L. 134

I. Avec emportement, "à mon ami A. Kussewitsky"

II. Lent. Sombre, "au Lieutenant Jacques Charlot"

III. Scherzando, "à mon ami Igor Stravinsky"

Claude Debussy, Prélude à l’Après-midi d’un Faune for two pianos

Jean Rondeau, Sisyphus (Improvisations on Bach, Couperin, Biber, Ligeti)

Martha Argerich, Janine Jansen, Mischa Maisky, Stephen Kovacevich, and Jean Rondeau perform Beethoven, Debussy, and more

Le Piano Symphonique Festival 2026

Subscribers

Cast

Janine Jansen — Violinist

Mischa Maisky — Cellist

Martha Argerich — Pianist

Jean Rondeau — Harpsichordist

Stephen Kovacevich — Pianist

Program notes

The festival Le Piano Symphonique returns to Lucerne for its fifth edition, once again spearheaded by the great Martha Argerich as pianiste associée alongside a who's-who of contemporary pianists! This installment sees Argerich herself perform in three magnificent duets with three friends and longtime collaborators: Beethoven's dazzling Cello Sonata No. 2 in G minor with cello legend Mischa Maisky and passionate Kreutzer Sonata with superstar violinist Janine Jansen, plus two Debussy favorites with acclaimed pianist Stephen Kovacevich. The program's second half belongs to innovative French harpsichordist Jean Rondeau, who performs Sisyphus, a remarkable uninterrupted improvisation through ancient and contemporary styles structured around themes by Bach, Couperin, Biber, and Ligeti.

A closer look: featured composers

Ludwig van Beethoven

Claude Debussy

Further listening: featured works

Sonata for Violin and Piano No. 9 in A Major, Op. 47, "Kreutzer Sonata"

Ludwig van Beethoven (Composer)

En blanc et noir, L. 134

Claude Debussy (Composer)