Deep sea diver and astronaut

Johann Sebastian Bach published his six partitas in 1731 under the title Clavierübung (Keyboard Exercise). Keyboard exercise? Not at all! The suites, each with six or seven movements, are rather a culmination of mental exploration. In them, Bach incorporates all the pianistic achievements of his time.

Sir András Schiff has repeatedly taken up the partitas throughout his career (including several recordings). However, his interpretations have nothing to do with repetition: Schiff acts more like a deep-sea diver who repeatedly brings up new and surprising treasures from familiar ocean depths. And like an astronaut who brings people closer to the light of the stars through sparkling runs and in an all-encompassing flow.

In Ernen, he will present Bach's monumental masterpiece on a Steinway from 1915, and he will do so in two parts – in the first and last of his five recitals in Ernen Church (Friday, 8 p.m. and Sunday, 2.30 p.m.). As an intimate prelude, Sir András Schiff will play Schubert's Impromptus on a historic fortepiano in the Tellenhaus on Thursday evening.

In the other recitals, he will treat the audience in the Musikdorf to extraordinary encounters with works by Beethoven and Haydn. And with Schubert's music for piano four hands – together with Chloe Jiyeong Mun (recital 4). Born in 1995, the South Korean was supported by Schiff as a student and in his mentoring programme ‘Building Bridges’. In 2025, she made her impressive Musikdorf debut, demonstrating, among other things, her profound understanding of Schubert.

Piano compact | 27–30 August 2026 | 6 Recitals with Sir András Schiff

Be there when Sir András Schiff really gets into the flow!

Buy subscription 27–30 August

Buy subscription 28–30 August

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Listen to the music: Playlist ‘Piano Compact 2026’ on Spotify

Written in December 2025, by Marianne Mühlemann