Oslo Philharmonic / Leif Ove Andsnes / Klaus Mäkelä

Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 5 / Bartók: Concerto for Orchestra

Sold out 17 | 41 | 76 | 112 | 135 Remaining tickets occasionally available at box office
Sold out 17 | 41 | 76 | 112 | 135 Remaining tickets occasionally available at box office
Klaus Mäkelä
Klaus Mäkelä © Kaupo Kikkas
Leif Ove Andsnes
Leif Ove Andsnes © Gregor Hohenberg

Heroism and exile frustration

Two of music history’s great and very special instrumental concertos are on this evening’s programme, when shooting star Klaus Mäkelä conducts the Oslo Philharmonic: Ludwig van Beethoven’s triumphant Fifth Piano Concerto and Béla Bartók’s »Concerto for Orchestra«. Norwegian pianist Leif Ove Andsnes plays the solo part in the Beethoven. Andsnes has often been a guest in Hamburg, including his »Beethoven Journey«, where he played all five of the composer’s piano concertos.

Beethoven wrote his last piano concerto in the »heroic key« of E-flat major, which is why it is also known as the »Emperor» in English-speaking countries. However, this title belies the many gentle and lyrical moments in the piece. It’s hard to believe that Beethoven was almost deaf when he composed this stirring music.

Bartók’s »Concerto for Orchestra« gives the members of the Oslo Philharmonic a chance to prove their mettle: instead of one solo instrument, the individual orchestral groups take turns playing the solo parts. Shortly before his death, Bartók composed this modern classic in his unloved American exile, which he described as »a gradual transition from the seriousness of the first movement and the lament of the third to the affirmation of life in the finale«. The longing for his native Hungary can be heard in the many musical echoes of his homeland.

Performers

Oslo Philharmonic

Leif Ove Andsnes piano

conductor Klaus Mäkelä

Programme

Ludwig van Beethoven
Concerto for Piano and Orchestra No. 5 in E-flat major, Op. 73

– Interval –

Béla Bartók
Concerto for Orchestra, Sz 116

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Spotlight

Klaus Mäkelä

Promoter: HamburgMusik

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Before the concert and in the interval

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