“Canadian pianist Jan Lisiecki showcases the rich potential of the prelude on his latest Deutsche Grammophon record; from Bach and Chopin to Rachmaninoff, Messiaen and Górecki.
“Can a recital be composed entirely of preludes, by definition and tradition introductory works, and still be profound?”” This was the question pianist Jan Lisiecki pondered while conceiving his current recital programme. As Lisiecki notes, it was Chopin who transformed the prelude into a genre in its own right, “embracing its ability to establish a mood and be taken out of context, so to speak”. The 24 preludes of Op. 28, showcasing each key in turn, were the starting point for his recital programme and album and his recent live interpretations have garnered critical Acclaim. Skillfully highlighting these connections and contrasts here, Lisiecki reveals the way in which the genre developed over three centuries. As he concludes, “These other composers’ take on the prelude is so different than what Chopin gives us and I think it completes the album and shows that a prelude can mean more than just one thing. Jan Lisiecki’s interpretations and technique speak to a maturity beyond his age. The Canadian performs over a hundred yearly concerts worldwide, and has worked closely with conductors such as Antonio Pappano, Yannick Nézet-Séguin, Daniel Harding, Manfred Honeck, and Claudio Abbado.