Classical Composer: | Beethoven, Ludwig van |
---|---|
Work: | Piano Concerto No. 5 in E-Flat Major, Op. 73, "Emperor" (arr. V. Lachner for piano and string quintet) |
Year Composed: | 1809 |
Duration: | 00:35:00 |
Work Category: | Concerto |
Work Information
Available Recording(s)
Beethoven composed the last of his five piano concertos – the Piano Concerto in E flat major, Op. 73 – in 1808/09. It was premiered by Friedrich Schneider at the seventh Gewandhaus concert in Leipzig. With the first movement alone Beethoven goes beyond the scope of what was usual: the duration of 582 bars is not even exceeded in his Symphony No. 9, and the piano part is completely different in style. In order to make the solo instrument an equal partner with the orchestra the soloist has to present himself with a powerful sound: arpeggios with pedal, double stops, octaves in both hands, rapid scales and even tenths make the outer movements virtuoso passages that contrast with the explicitly simple expression of the middle movement. This piece is a virtuoso concerto in the best sense of this word. It points far beyond Beethoven into the future and is – in some ways – even reminiscent of Franz Liszt's concertos. Beethoven created a prototype with considerable relevance for the future.
Writer: Carsten Dürer
Translated by: Dorothee Kau
No. | Catalogue No. | Album Title | Label | Featured Artist |
---|