Leif Ove Andsnes: Tiny Desk (home) Concert

The Tiny Desk is working from home for the foreseeable future. Introducing NPR Music's Tiny Desk (home) concerts, bringing you performances from across the country and the world. It's the same spirit — stripped-down sets, an intimate setting — just a different space.

Tom Huizenga | April 8, 2022

The Norwegian pianist Leif Ove Andsnes is binging Mozart. He's just released his second double album in a row of the composer's piano music, and for this very special Tiny Desk performance, he takes us inside Mozart's own home in Vienna, just steps away from the medieval St. Stephen's Cathedral and a couple blocks from a McDonald's.

Mozart might have appreciated the convenience of the fast food chain, as the years he spent in this two-floor, four-bedroom apartment (from 1784 to 1787) were a non-stop frenzy of activities. Andsnes says the composer threw gambling parties, taught students and, above all, composed some of his most groundbreaking music in this house, including the two works heard in this recital.

Andsnes begins with four minutes of radiant joy and virtuosity. The D major Rondo showcases not only Mozart's own skills as an unrivaled keyboardist, but also his genius as a composer with a bottomless bag of tricks to play with the music's principal theme.

The following Fantasia in C minor, composed one year earlier, in 1785, couldn't be more different. At three times the Rondo's length, it begins in a foreboding tone, with heavy, darkly colored chords, sounding perhaps like Beethoven in a bad mood. But the clouds soon open to rays of sunshine in melodies only Mozart could create, including a recurring passage of intense delicacy and yearning, which Andsnes delivers with the sensitivity of a lover's whisper. In its many fascinating mood swings, the piece feels like Mozart simply sat down in these rooms and improvised his mixed emotions. And thanks to Andsnes, we can catch a vibe of what that might have sounded like.

SET LIST
Mozart: Rondo in D Major, K. 485

Mozart: Fantasia in C Minor, K. 475

MUSICIANS
Leif Ove Andsnes: piano

CREDITS
Video and audio: Anthony Jacobson, Perdurabo Film

Recorded at: Mozarthaus Vienna

TINY DESK TEAM
Producer: Tom Huizenga
Video Producer: Michael Zamora
Audio Mastering: Josh Rogosin
Tiny Production Team: Bob Boilen, Bobby Carter, Kara Frame, Joshua Bryant, Maia Stern, Ashley Pointer
Executive Producer: Keith Jenkins

Senior VP, Programming: Anya Grundmann

#nprmusic #tinydesk #LeifOveAndsnes

Kudos to NPR for featuring such a variety of genres on the Tiny Desk; it is a real musical education!

[staffanolofsson]

This is an excellent Mozart performed by an excellent musician, the Norwegian pianist Leif Ove Andsnes. And his small rubatos are so nice!

[breadstuff]

Never thought I would see him here. If you can read this, sir Leif Ove Andsnes, your Janacek collection made my highschool years. Your playing is beautiful.

[Achwl]

Leif Ove Andsnes has been Norway's greatest pianist since the late 90s :) Really cool to see him on here!!

[pattyhsieh]

I never knew Mozart sounded this beautiful until hearing him play. Brilliant!

[jmc]

I really appreciate his facial expressions while playing. Never judge a musician by his body language, but I really enjoyed this additional emotional expression.

[jd_]

Wow. I remember falling asleep at one of his concerts as a kid when mum dragged me along
What an unexpected surprise to see him here

[wstothyme]

This was crazy good - one of the things that really made an impression on me was his pauses - his use of silence to shape/emphasize the phrase and emotion of the piece. So beautiful!

[PentameronSV]

0:00 - *Mozart: Rondo in D Major, K. 485* (4:34)
6:49 - *Mozart: Fantasia in C Minor, K. 475*
[18:28 - Tiny Desk team]

[christianefleurant]

Thank you Tiny desk, I'm very grateful to you to allow me to discover the pianist Leif Ove Andsnes. It's impossible to see what brand of piano he is playing.... at first I was upset and then the music he was making was so beautiful I didn't care anymore. Thank you from Montréal, Canada.

[williammelvin]

I saw this guy on a documentary about him playing Beethoven concertos and I'll never forget it.

[marc]

his intonation and feel brings me to tears.

[ladylovesblues]

Breathtakingly beautiful ! Looking forward to seeing more classical performances at Tiny Desk!

[lolilollolilol]

The delicate simplicity of the first part of the Fantasia is wonderful. Only a complete master could come up with such an array of subtle emotions with so few notes.

[i.t.t.]

this was so beautiful. idk what to do with all these emotions. I feel like I might burst 😭

[moniquedeitz]

Beautiful! What wonderful flow with nary a hesitation. Such a pleasure! When going over my CD collection I was reminded that I hadn't listened to Mr. Andsnes for quite a while and so turned to YouTube, finding this fine posting. Thank you!

[LouiseMartin_]

Thank you very much for this nice concert. Mozart music will be forever.

[berniebee]

So much colour and tone and expression and variety and contrast.

[Screamifyoumeanit]

I love and feel this music... Emote a book, before there were movies... Which, generally, still don't really work without music.

[workingtoseethelight]

Yeah, wow and like those before me have spoke, what truly amazing playing, filming, and everything really and wow, Yeah truly beautiful!!!