Schumann was struggling with mental illness in 1854 when he wrote his final work. Known as the ‘Ghost Variations’, he was convinced the graceful theme had been dictated to him by the spirits of Schubert and Mendelssohn, forgetting he’d in fact written it himself in his Violin Concerto. Both works were discovered in the 1930s and Patricia Kopatchinskaja is one of those violinists to have recorded the Concerto in recent years. She writes a new work for Sternath for his ECHO Rising Stars tour. Finally, Liszt’s sonata, published in 1854 and dedicated to Schumann, is a test for any pianist. Cascades of notes, dark drama, tender melody and fiendish difficulty all combine in a single glorious arc of light and shade.

Pianist Lukas Sternath is no stranger to the stage having travelled the world as a member of the world-famous Vienna Boys’ Choir. With Igor Levit as his mentor since 2022, he achieved sensational success at the 71st International ARD Music Competition, winning not only First Prize but seven special prizes including the audience prize too.

Rising Stars are nominated by the artistic directors of Europe’s most prestigious venues which are members of the European Concert Hall Organisation (ECHO).

An hour-long Sunday morning concert, with coffee/tea and a slice of cake available before the concert, included in your ticket