Pavel Kolesnikov, piano

Royal Philharmonic Orchestra

Beethoven the Revolutionary: The Emperor and the King

Tuesday 21 June 2022, 19:30

Past Event
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra Past Event

Programme

Beethoven King Stephen: Overture
Beethoven Piano Concerto No. 5, ‘Emperor’
Beethoven Symphony No. 7

Performers

Hans Graf conductor
Pavel Kolesnikov piano
John Suchet presenter
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra

Composed in 1809 during the French invasion of Austria, it is a miracle that Beethoven’s Fifth Piano Concerto was ever completed. Beethoven was lodging next to the city ramparts as Napoleon’s army bombarded Vienna and he was struggling with his increasing deafness. Unlike any concerto that came before it in scale and virtuosity, Pavel Kolesnikov joins the Orchestra to perform this musical testament to the freedom of man.

Beethoven’s Seventh Symphony is filled with insistent rhythms which drive it relentlessly forward. Is it a work of joy? Or, as Wagner declared, ‘the apotheosis of dance’? Of glorious revelling in life despite adversity? Or of obsessive mania? Without doubt it is filled with music which at the time was revolutionary, so much so that some of the musicians at the first performances declared Beethoven must have been drunk when he wrote it! Whatever the inspiration, conductor Hans Graf will undoubtedly draw you into this masterpiece and take you on a powerful journey through darkness to light.

With a short introduction by John Suchet.

6.30-6.55pm: Pre-concert Talk
by presenter John Suchet on Beethoven: The Revolutionary (admission free to 7.30pm concert ticket holders).

We are sorry to announce that Sir Andrew Davis has had to withdraw from this performance due to illness. We are grateful to Hans Graf for stepping in to conduct at such short notice.


This concert is kindly supported by:

Duration: approx. 2 hours (incl. interval)

Ticket Information

£45, £42, £35, £25, £15

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Check out the view from your chosen seat on our interactive seating plan.

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Concerts in ‘Beethoven: The Revolutionary’ are part of the RPO 2021-22 season series discount

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Beethoven: The Revolutionary
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra 2021-22 series

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