Haefliger Replaces Freire

PCMS has just learned that, due to medical reasons, pianist Nelson Freire has called off his U.S. tour – thus canceling his March 3 PCMS recital at Perelman Theater.

Fortunately for the Society, we have found an alternate pianist for the same evening – Andreas Haefliger. This outstanding Swiss pianist has performed several times with the Philadelphia Orchestra (most recently two weeks ago in Bartók’s Third Concerto). He is "unlike many virtuosos… a musician first and pianist second" (Chicago Tribune), and he has been praised for a rare combination of power and poetry. After a recent Wigmore recital, the Guardian described him as “one to take risks, which makes him a fascinating artist.” He has performed recitals in New York, London, and Milan with his father, the late great tenor Ernst Haefliger, and in recent years he has collaborated with Wolfgang Holzmair, the Takács Quartet, and his wife, flutist Marina Piccinini.

In his PCMS debut, Mr. Haefliger's recital features works by Mozart and Liszt as well as Schubert's last important work, the Sonata in B-flat Major, D. 960, completed less than two months before his death. The sonata's undeniable strength and sweeping scope somehow combine with a delicate fragility, and Schubert’s great lyrical gift permeates every theme.

Complete details on Mr. Haefliger's program are as follows:

Andreas Haefliger, piano

Thursday, March 3 at 8pm

Perelman Theater, Kimmel Center

Mozart: Sonata in C Major, K. 330

Mozart: Adagio in B Minor, K. 540

Liszt: Le mal du pays, from Années de pèlerinage 

Liszt: Vallée d'Obermann, from Années de pèlerinage 

Liszt: Isolde's Liebestod

Schubert: Sonata in B-flat Major, D. 960