Andras Schiff plays Janáček's On an overgrown Path, Book I

Immerse yourself in the sublime artistry of Hungarian virtuoso Andras Schiff as he performs a cornerstone of the Czech piano repertoire: Leoš Janáček's Auf verwachsenem Pfade (“On a Covered Path”) cycle.

Comprising twelve short pieces, this cycle is not the bucolic musical stroll its title might imply, but rather a stirring evocation of sorrow and loss. In 1902, Janáček's daughter Olga died of typhoid fever on the eve of her 21st birthday, casting the composer into profound despair. These pieces transport us into the composer’s memories and moments in life, and their aching sonorities weave together softness and sorrow in vivid contrast. Who better to convey the poetry of this cycle than the exceptional Andras Schiff? The remarkable pianist performs these pieces of unparalleled evocative power with his characteristic vivacity and deep sensitivity.