As a twelve-year-old, Ludwig van Beethoven was praised by his teacher Christian Gottlob Neefe, who prophesied he would "undoubtedly become a second Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart."
Historical Context
In 1792, when Beethoven moved to Vienna to study, his patron Count Waldstein encouraged him to receive "Mozart's spirit at the hands of Haydn," as Mozart had recently died.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Beethoven believed that true piano virtuosi create coherent, whole music, unlike those who merely "rush up and down the keyboard in well-practised passagework."
Composition History
The official numbering of Beethoven's Piano Concertos is misleading; the C major (No. 1) was composed later than the B flat major (No. 2), but published first for marketing reasons.
Performer Biography
Olivier Cavé, the pianist on this recording, gave his first concert in 1991, accompanied by the Camerata Lysy under the direction of Yehudi Menuhin.
Performer Biography
The Kammerakademie Potsdam, the orchestra on this recording, was awarded the 2015 Classical Prize in the 'Ensemble/Orchestra of the Year' category.
Performer Biography
Patrick Hahn, the conductor, was appointed General Music Director of the Wuppertaler Bühnen und Sinfonieorchester GmbH at just 24 years old, making him the youngest GMD in Germany.
