Beethoven's Third Piano Concerto was not fully 'finished' at its 1803 premiere; an anecdote describes the composer improvising the solo part from nearly empty pages.
Compositional Technique
The key of C minor in Beethoven's Third Piano Concerto, later known as his 'Fate key,' was inspired by Mozart's C minor Concerto K 491, a favorite work of Beethoven's.
Performer Biography
Kolja Blacher, the violinist on this recording, plays the 'Tritton' Stradivari violin from 1730, which is on loan to him from Kimiko Powers.
Composer Biography
At 22, Ludwig van Beethoven left Bonn for Vienna in 1792, intending to study with Joseph Haydn, but Haydn was too busy with commissions for London.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Beethoven's C minor works, including the Third Piano Concerto, embody 'the seriousness and morality which constitute the strength of people who excel,' reflecting the moral ideas of Weimar Classicism.
Compositional Technique
The Triple Concerto is a 'sinfonia concertante,' a genre that was popular in the 18th century but had practically died out by 1800, featuring multiple solo instruments against an orchestra.
Composition History
Beethoven's Triple Concerto was composed for Archduke Rudolf of Austria, one of his prominent pupils, and its demanding piano part was adapted to suit the Archduke's abilities.
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