When two of the greatest pianists of our time share the spotlight simultaneously, it must surely be a special challenge. But when Marc-André Hamelin and Leif Ove Andsnes appeared together for the first time five years ago, audiences and critics soon agreed that they manage to blend their unique individual talents in a perfect balance when performing as a duo. Then as now, Hamelin and Andsnes joined forces in performing Le sacre du printemps: in their hands, Stravinsky’s ballet music is transformed into a brilliant marathon of surprises. The two pianists not only prove their technical mastery, but also display their intelligent sense for this gripping, explosive score. The other works chosen for this evening likewise promise pure listening pleasure: Debussy’s visionary suite En blanc et noir and his arrangements of Schumann’s pedal piano études, as well as John Adams’ throbbing, pulsing Hallelujah Junction. Canadian virtuoso Marc-André Hamelin, laureate of the 2013 Ruhr Piano Festival Prize, will be sending the Festival audience into raptures with his stupendous technique for the 17th time. And after Leif Ove Andsnes’s planned recital in 2021 was unfortunately cancelled for health reasons, we will now have the pleasure of admiring his artistry for the sixth time.