Beethoven Piano Concertos 1 and 2

A very special series of concerts showcasing our outstanding young classical pianists, we open with a double bill of Beethoven’s first foray into the piano concerto. 

Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 1in C Major, Op. 15 blends classical elegance with the bold harmonic shifts that mark his emerging style. The three movements range from a spirited sonata-form opening to a serene A-flat Major Largo and a playful, virtuosic rondo finale. The concerto showcases both Mozartian influence and Beethoven’s growing independence, with vivid orchestral writing and brilliant cadenzas.

In the second half, Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 2in B-flat Major, Op. 19 blends Mozartian grace with flashes of the bold, disruptive personality that would define his later style. Its clear classical lines, elegant orchestration, and light, witty writing evoke the Viennese tradition, with surprising key shifts, chromatic playfulness and a growing sense of drama and independence.

Please note: These pieces will be presented in Piano Duo arrangements.