NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchester / Krzysztof Urbański

Not without reason is this enthralling work with its sublime E flat introduction known in English as the »Emperor« Concerto. For the tricky solo part, sought-after Croatian pianist Dejan Lazić returns to the NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchestra. While Beethoven was already at the height of his success with the Fifth Piano Concerto, the premiere of his First Symphony marked his breakthrough as a composer in the music centre of Vienna: the symphony was first performed in April 1800 at the first concert in Vienna’s old Burgtheater that the composer organised himself. At this venue, he reached a considerably larger audience than in the private home concerts he had put on hitherto.
And it was worth it: »At the end a symphony was performed that was rich in art, innovation and ideas« - thus the reviewer of the Allgemeine Musikalische Zeitung. Those who think that a first symphony can only represent an early stage in the development of the future »Titan« of Viennese Classicism are actually mistaken: »Do not take his last symphony as proof of his genius – his first symphony serves the purpose just as well!«, enthused Robert Schumann about this self-assured and rebellious work of a 30-year-old.