Review: Daniel Lebhardt at Pembroke Auditorium, Cambridge

Hungarian pianist Daniel Lebhardt, described by The New York Times as playing with “power, poetry and formidable technique”, performed at Pembroke Auditorium, part of Pembroke College, Cambridge, on Friday, 18 July, as part of Cambridge Summer Music 2025.

Taking his seat at the beautiful Steinway & Sons grand piano, the slightly shy-looking musician began superbly, playing three pieces by Franz Liszt (1811-1886), the Hungarian composer, virtuoso pianist, and conductor.

All of the pieces performed this evening were written in the second half of the 19th century, at the height and subsequent end of the Romantic period.

The three Liszt works in the first half were certainly varied, shifting between different volumes and tempos, often at the drop of a hat.

There were some delightful melodies buried amongst them and Lebhardt certainly impressed with his breathtaking dexterity and delicate touch (when it was called for) on the instrument (there were plenty of parts that required a ‘heavier’ touch too).

The repertoire in the second half moved away from Liszt.

Firstly, we were treated to Songs of Dawn Op 133 by German composer Robert Schumann (1810-1856) and then Variations on a theme by Robert Schumann Op 20, by the composer’s wife, Clara Schumann (1819-1896).

It was then back to Robert Schumann for Ghost Variations WoO 24 (also known as ‘Geistervariationen’) - another musical delight expertly played, and Schumann’s last piano work.

Two memorable pieces by Liszt - La Cloche Sonne S 238 and Legend No 2 ‘St Francis of Paola walking on the waves’ S 175 - brought this wonderful concert to a close.

Wild applause and shouts of ‘Bravo!’ greeted Lebhardt as he took his bow. He went off and came back out for an encore - one of Brahms’ piano works in A major.

It was a privilege to see this gifted musician in action, playing music from some of the Romantic period’s finest composers.

For more on Daniel Lebhardt, visit daniel-lebhardt.com. For more on Cambridge Summer Music, go to cambridgesummermusic.com.