The heroic spirit of Beethoven’s great Emperor piano concerto meets the musical adventure of Wagner’s Ring cycle.
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Beethoven was the first musical hero and as far as some of us are concerned he’s the greatest of them all. His Emperor Concerto takes the heroic spirit of the Napoleonic age and turns it into music that’s muscular and commanding, wrapping the noblest of emotions in breathtaking virtuosity. It’s weighty music for a powerful pianist like François-Frédéric Guy.
Wagner’s Ring of the Nibelung brought together a whole raft of heroes in a massive cycle of four operas that begins in the Rhine and ends with the halls of Valhalla aflame. At 20 hours it’s too much for one concert, but Alexander Briger has chosen the orchestral highlights, beginning with the Ride of the Valkyries, for a Wagnerian musical adventure – minus the singing!
THE HALL OF HEROES
LEDGER Arcs and Planes
BEETHOVEN Piano Concerto No.5 (Emperor)
WAGNER The Ring of the Nibelung: An Orchestral Suite
Alexander Briger conductor
François-Frédéric Guy piano
TEA & SYMPHONY - 19 MARCH
Short program: Beethoven, Wagner
You can also read our interview with François-Frédéric Guy.
AUDIO PLAYER LISTING
Track 1 – BEETHOVEN Piano Concerto No.5 (Emperor): 1. Allegro
Track 2 – BEETHOVEN Piano Concerto No.5 (Emperor): 2. Adagio un poco mosso
Track 3 – BEETHOVEN Piano Concerto No.5 (Emperor): 3. Rondo (Allegro)
Radu Lupu, piano, with the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Zubin Mehta
DECCA 66 6892
Visit again closer to the concert for more highlights from this program.
Audio kindly supplied by Universal Music.
Currently available from iTunes