Beethoven: Concerto pour piano et orchestre No 1 & 2

Featuring

Kwamé Ryan
Shani Diluka
Orchestre National Bordeaux Aquitaine
Ludwig van Beethoven

Did you know?

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Composer's Artistic Vision

Christian Gottlob Neefe, Beethoven's early teacher, believed music was the language of the soul and that art should be founded on philosophical principles, advocating for artists to seek Beauty, Truth, and Goodness.

Composer Biography

Beethoven left Bonn for Vienna in 1792 at age 21, hoping to establish himself in the musical capital, following in the footsteps of Mozart and Haydn.

Performer Biography

Pianist Shani Diluka was discovered at age six through a program established by Princess Grace of Monaco and later studied with renowned pianists like Leon Fleisher, Maria João Pires, and Murray Perahia.

Composition History

Beethoven's first two piano concertos, though published in 1801, were revised multiple times and 'tried out' in concerts in Vienna and Prague before their final publication.

Recording & Production

This recording was made on a C. Bechstein D 282 grand piano, a brand praised by pianist Edwin Fischer for its "profound and luminous sound."

Compositional Technique

Beethoven often incorporated folk music elements into his compositions, arranging over 150 folksongs for voice and piano trio from various European countries.

Composer Biography

Beethoven's early musical education included studying J.S. Bach's 'The Well-tempered Clavier' in its entirety at age 11, a rare feat at a time when Bach's music was considered difficult and not widely known.