ANAM at the Convent: Élégies Harmonique

ANAM’s Head of Piano, Timothy Young, presents a program showcasing the expressive range of the fortepiano, featuring works by Jan Ladislav Dussek, Maria Szymanowska, and Franz Schubert.

Dussek’s Élégie Harmonique, composed in response to the death of his patron and friend Prince Louis Ferdinand of Prussia is a powerful expression of grief, while L’invocation, composed in the tumultuous aftermath of Napoleon’s defeat, reflects Dussek’s more introspective and spiritual style.

Maria Szymanowska, one of the first professional female pianists, brings lively Polish folk rhythms with selections from her Mazurkas and Dances. These compositions showcase her role as a trailblazer who paved the way for later Romantic composers like Chopin.

Schubert rounds off the night with two of his finest four-hand piano works. The intense Lebensstürme pulses with dramatic contrasts, while the Fantasia in F Minor beautifully weaves together moments of light and shadow, creating an unforgettable musical journey.

Jan Ladislav DUSSEK Piano Sonata in F-sharp Minor, op. 61 Élégie Harmonique
Jan Ladislav DUSSEK Piano Sonata in F Minor, op. 77 L’invocation
Maria SZYMANOWSKA 24 Mazurkas and Dances (selections)
Franz SCHUBERT Allegro in A Minor, D. 947 ‘Lebensstürme’ for piano four hands
Franz SCHUBERT Fantasia in F Minor, D. 940 for piano four hands

Timothy Young (Head of Piano, ANAM Resident Faculty) director / piano
ANAM Pianists