Beethovens Pianoconcert nr. 2 door Martin Helmchen

Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 2

With his Second Piano Concerto, Beethoven joined the radiant lightness of Mozart's piano concertos almost seamlessly. Almost, because the dynamics, the unity between the movements, and the countless novelties in the form are typically Beethoven. It remains playful and cheerful throughout, even in the lyrical and somewhat solemn slow movement. The main theme of the final movement is such a typical early Beethoven hit: powerful, playful, bold, and very catchy. It swings like crazy.

Martin Helmchen

When Martin Helmchen stepped in at the last minute for Maria João Pires at the Concertgebouw in 2015, he was still considered something of a 'hidden gem'. Trouw found his Amsterdam debut 'refreshing' and praised his 'fiery clear argument'. By now, Helmchen is no longer a well-kept secret: he has performed all over the world, including at the BBC Proms. In 2020, he received a Gramophone Award for his recordings of Beethoven's piano concertos with the Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin. That bodes well for this concert featuring Beethoven's Second Piano Concerto .