Details
Stratford Playhouse
14 Rother Street
Stratford-upon-Avon
Warwickshire
CV37 6LU
England
Programme
Robert Schumann – Genoveva, Op.81
Robert Schumann – Symphony no.2, Op.61
Ludwig van Beethoven – Piano Concerto no.5 in E flat major 'Emperor', Op.73
Performers
Jason Lai – Conductor
Lauren Zhang – piano
Orchestra of the Swan
Other concerts in this Series (+)
Programme Note
Lauren Zhang, winner of the BBC Young Musician of the Year 2018 and a student at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, makes her debut with OOTS in Beethoven’s 5th Piano Concerto.
The ‘Emperor’ concerto represents the apex of Beethoven’s ‘heroic’ writing. There are plenty of stormy episodes and virtuoso passages for the piano but the balance between them and the tender moments is perfectly judged. Schumann’s admiration of Beethoven went beyond mere words. In 1836 he composed his ‘Grande Sonate’ the proceeds from which were to have been used towards the construction of a monument dedicated to the great composer. He began work on his 2nd symphony in 1845 but was severely hampered by his deteriorating health. It was eventually completed in 1847.