Classical Robeco-zomerconcert
Classical concert in more than one meaning of the word. Prokofiev’s First Symphony of 1917 was called ‘Classical’ because of its form and style. But Beethoven’s ‘Second’ Piano Concerto and Schubert’s Fifth Symphony are in this form too. Of course Beethoven is one of the ‘original’ Viennese Classical composers. In his Fifth Symphony Schubert looked back rather than forward.
No minor chords
Remarkable about the First Symphony by Prokofiev (1891-1953) is that the final movement does not contain a single minor chord. In fact this exceptionally sunny work is neo-classical and goes back to Haydn. As a student of composition in St. Petersburg Prokofiev had acquainted himself extensively with Haydn's work. He wrote this first symphony during a holiday and named it ‘classical’ himself. However with the classical orchestration the composer does blend new colours.Piano Concerto by Beethoven
Beethoven’s Second Piano Concerto opus 19 of 1794 is actually his first. It was published later than the following concerto though. The composer wrote his Opus 19 to show off his own talent as a piano virtuoso. With it he made his offical debut in Vienna. Its style is an homage to Mozart and Haydn.New final movement
This piano concerto came into being at the time when Beethoven was composing his first three piano sonatas. It already contains the typically Beethovenian sense of drama too. Yet he was not satisfied with it. This was the reason for reworking the material lateron. The concerto was even given a completely new Rondo, the final movement. Its playful theme is a happy, folkdance-like melody. The cadence in the first movement was added at a later date as well.Destroyed instruments
In fact as a pianist Beethoven had been a child prodigy.The physical strenght of his playing was entirely new. Thus he regularly destroyed instruments during concerts with strings and hammers breaking down. Tonight’s pianist, Stephen Kovacevich (1940), is a true Beethoven specialist. His complete recordings of the sonatas from 2003 are still setting the tone.Fifth Symphony by Schubert
Between Beethoven’s Second Piano Concerto and this symphony some twenty years elapsed. This, however, does not show. Schubert chose to look back, especailly in the direction of Mozart’s late symphonies. The final movement, in rondo form, however, rather reminds the listener of Haydn. Some transitions, though, are unmistakably Schubert. Here he used the same small orchestra as Beethoven had done in his Second Piano Concerto. Clarinets, trumpets and timpanies are absent.This concert will be broadcast directly by Radio4.
Sunday 22 August 2010, 8:15 pm
Amsterdam: Concertgebouw (Large Hall)
Netherlands Radio Chamber Philharmonic conducted by Pablo Heras-Casado
Soloist: Stephen Kovacevich, piano
Robeco zomerconcerten
Tickets € 30,- / € 26,- (1st resp. 2nd circle); € 22,- reduced price
Program
Serge Prokofiev
Symphony no.1 op.25 in D major "Classical"
Ludwig van Beethoven
Concerto for piano and orchestra no.2 op.19 in B flat major
Franz Schubert
Symphony no.5 in B flat major D.485
Laatste aanpassing op Tuesday 10 August 2010