Great Piano Concertos: When A Perfectionist Pianist Plays A Masterpiece

Description

The classical concerto in four movements was composed by Ludwig van Beethoven in 1805–1806 when he was the soloist in the public premiere as part of the concert on 22 December 1808, which took place at Vienna’s Theater an der Wien. It was scored for solo piano and an orchestra consisting of a flute, two clarinets, two oboes, two horns, two trumpets, timpani, two bassoons as well as strings. Dedicated to the Archduke Rudolph, his friend, student and patron, the piece was deemed “the most admirable, singular, artistic and complex Beethoven concerto ever”.

Playing the masterpiece is Martin Helmchen, who is known for his aesthetically and culturally well thought-out vision of a composition, as well as his influence by chamber music and great musicians such as cellists Boris Pergamenschikow and Heinrich Schiff. Helmchen won the 1st Prize at the 2001 Clara Haskil Competition at the age of 19, and has since then performed with the world’s top orchestras and conductors including Berlin Philharmonic, Vienna Philharmonic, London Philharmonic, New York Philharmonic & Boston Symphony.

The evening concert also features Webern’s Variations for Orchestra, Op 30 and Mozart’s Jupiter.

The performance is companioned by a free workshop entitled “UpClose Encounters: Martin Helmchen Piano Masterclass” on the day prior to the performance, 29 March.