Chamber Orchestra of Europe / Kirill Gerstein

Two evenings, one majestic overview: immerse yourself in the piano concertos of Ludwig van Beethoven, a musical universe in motion. Together with the Chamber Orchestra of Europe, pianist Kirill Gerstein explores Beethoven's evolution from a young rebel into a visionary master.

The Friday programme begins with the young Beethoven: bold, questing, and determined to shape the piano concerto to his will. The rarely performed Piano Concerto No. 0 is no mere curiosity, but a fascinating laboratory in which Beethoven's musical ambitions are already clearly delineated. The Piano Concerto No. 1 confirms his idiosyncratic voice: playful and virtuosic, with a clear urge to break free from the confines of the classical form. The focus of the evening is on the Piano Concerto No. 4, a work that is far ahead of its time. With his introspective opening and subtle dialogue between piano and orchestra, Beethoven redraws the relationship between soloist and ensemble. In the hands of Gerstein and the Chamber Orchestra, this concerto unfolds as an intimate yet revolutionary milestone. This evening presents Beethoven in motion: not as a monument, but as a composer who is constantly searching, experimenting, and innovating.

This two-day event is a unique opportunity to experience Beethoven's piano concertos together, with an orchestra that effortlessly guides the way through this musical cosmos, and a pianist renowned for his intellectual acuity and musical daring. A must for every Beethoven aficionado.