After Stravinsky’s short Histoire du Soldat for young people on 6 December with Patrice Chéreau and after Wagner’s Tristan und Isolde, which opened the 2007-2008 Season, Daniel Barenboim is back but this time at the piano. 23 January marks the start the Beethoven Cycle, which includes all the 32 Sonatas in eight recitals: a first series of concerts on 23, 25, 27 January and 13 February; a second on 15, 18, 22 and 29 June.

This exciting project pays particular attention to the audience, because the maestro, who has often performed the complete Sonatas (and has recorded them for EMI in the seventies), has chosen not to follow the chronological order. Instead he has opted for programmes that represent the various periods of Beethoven, so that every single recital could become a complete and enjoyable performance.

After the concert on 23 January, at the invitation of the Scala Bookstore, Daniel Barenboim will meet his fans and sign his recordings of Beethoven’s Complete Piano Sonatas (EMI box sets and individual CD’s) in the foyer of the Theatre.

Visit Daniel Barenboim's website on www.danielbarenboim.com .