Beethoven: The Piano Concertos

Description

This line-up promises a Beethoven showcase of the highest calibre: to mark the 200th anniversary of the composer’s death, Lang Lang appears as soloist in all five concertos. Joining him in Hamburg is star conductor Andris Nelsons, accompanied by his two renowned orchestras. The Boston Symphony Orchestra visits in March, followed by the Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra in June.

In his five piano concertos, Beethoven draws on the full range of his abilities. A virtuoso pianist himself, he knew exactly how to push the limits of what was playable. In striking contrasts and sweeping dramatic arcs, piano and orchestra engage in vivid dialogue. As a young composer and performer, Beethoven initially wrote these concertos to make a name for himself – a goal he achieved both in his own time and far beyond, as his music remains an indispensable part of concert life worldwide.