Beethoven and Brahms

Hear Beethoven's Fate Symphony The opening of Beethoven's fifth symphony is often described as fate knocking at the door. When fate knocks, you have two choices: give up or keep fighting. Beethoven chose the latter, and wrote one of music history's most iconic symphonies while he was himself losing his hearing. The concert opens with Francesco Piemontesi as soloist in Johannes Brahms' Piano Concerto No. 2. When Beethoven meets Brahms on the same concert evening, we face two composers who each in their own way had to fight their way to their triumphs. Beethoven fought a losing battle against his own deafness, while Brahms was weighed down by Beethoven's musical legacy and his own insecurity. The concert marks the 200th anniversary of Beethoven's death. Programme: Johannes Brahms: Piano Concerto No. 2 Ludwig van Beethoven: Symphony No. 5 Performers: Alain Altinoglu, conductor Francesco Piemontesi, piano