Beethoven 200: II

The second of four all-Beethoven concerts with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra marking 200 years since the composer’s death.

The triumphant Fidelio Overture, with strong themes of loyalty and courage, is contrasted with the poetic Fourth Piano Concerto. Celebrated pianist Elizabeth Sombart performs one of the most beautiful and lyrical of all piano concertos – by turns sunny and melancholic, rapturous and introspective, feverish and wistful.

The Third Symphony is nothing short of revolutionary: majestic, dramatic and full of conflict. The title ‘Eroica’ befits what many consider the greatest symphony ever written, containing the foundations of Romanticism in grandiose gestures, burgeoning themes, and its very scale. Originally inspired by Napoleon, the symphony was re-dedicated to “the memory of a great man” following Bonaparte’s vertiginous fall from grace in the composer’s eyes. Eroica champions human freedom, breaking new musical ground in its extremes of emotion and the idea of narrative in symphonic music. Michalis Economou conducts.

Programme: Beethoven – Overture: Fidelio; Beethoven – Piano Concerto No. 4; Beethoven – Symphony No. 3 “Eroica”

Performers: Elizabeth Sombart (piano); Royal Philharmonic Orchestra; Michalis Economou (conductor)