Jonathan Biss, piano

The Complete Piano Sonatas of Ludwig van Beethoven
Jonathan Biss does not do things halfway. Nearing the end of an ambitious nine-year, nine-disc project to record all 32 of Beethoven’s piano sonatas, he brings the fruits of his labor to Hertz Hall for a once-in-a-lifetime listening experience. In the season that marks Beethoven’s 250th birthday, Biss visits with this full cycle of towering works, performed over seven concerts. An artist of probing intellect and vast emotional range, Biss last visited Cal Performances with stirring performances of three Beethoven piano concertos, with the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra during the 2017–18 season. As one critic marveled of his recording of the Appassionata Sonata: “Biss’s performance is blazing, nimble, fleet of finger and dangerous” (The Guardian, London).
Sat, Sep 21, 8pm, HH
Sonata No. 1 in F minor, Op. 2, No. 1 Sonata No. 9 in E Major, Op. 14, No. 1 Sonata No. 13 in E-flat Major, Op. 27, No. 1, Quasi una fantasia Sonata No. 12 in A-flat Major, Op. 26, Funeral March Sonata No. 21 in C Major, Op. 53, Waldstein
Sun, Sep 22, 3pm, HH
Sonata No. 4 in E-flat Major, Op. 7, Grand Sonata Sonata No. 17 in D minor, Op. 31, No. 2, Tempest Sonata No. 5 in C minor, Op. 10, No. 1 Sonata No. 23 in F minor, Op. 57, Appassionata
Sat, Oct 12, 8pm, HH
Sonata No. 15 in D Major, Op. 28, Pastoral Sonata No. 20 in G Major, Op. 49, No. 2 Sonata No. 3 in C Major, Op. 2, No. 3 Sonata No. 27 in E minor, Op. 90 Sonata No. 28 in A Major, Op. 101
Sun, Oct 13, 3pm, HH
Sonata No. 6 in F Major, Op. 10, No. 2 Sonata No. 10 in G Major, Op. 14, No. 2 Sonata No. 18 in E-flat Major, Op. 31, No. 3, The Hunt Sonata No. 29 in B-flat Major, Op. 106, Hammerklavier
Sun, Dec 15, 3pm, HH
Sonata No. 25 in G Major, Op. 79, Cuckoo Sonata No. 11 in B-flat Major, Op. 22 Sonata No. 14 in C-sharp minor, Op. 27, No. 2, Moonlight Sonata No. 24 in F-sharp Major, Op. 78, À Thérèse Sonata No. 30 in E Major, Op. 109
Sat, Mar 7, 8pm, HH
Sonata No. 19 in G minor, Op. 49, No. 1 Sonata No. 16 in G Major, Op. 31, No. 1 Sonata No. 7 in D Major, Op. 10, No. 3 Sonata No. 2 in A Major, Op. 2, No. 2 Sonata No. 31 in A-flat Major, Op. 110
Sun, Mar 8, 3pm, HH
Sonata No. 8 in C minor, Op. 13, Pathétique Sonata No. 22 in F Major, Op. 54 Sonata No. 26 in E-flat Major, Op. 81a, Les adieux Sonata No. 32 in C minor, Op. 111