Beethoven - Piano Concerto No 2

Stephen Kovacevich's international reputation as a pianist has been built both on his concert appearances, renowned for their thoughtfulness and creative intensity, and on the highly acclaimed recordings he has made throughout his career. He is considered as one of the most searching interpreters of the core classical repertoire and he has won great admiration for his recordings of Mozart, Beethoven, Brahms, Schubert and Chopin. He is also an acclaimed interpreter of contemporary music, including Tippett's piano concerto and Richard Rodney Bennett's concerto (which was dedicated to Kovacevich).

In 2003, he recorded the complete Beethoven Piano Sonatas, earning the distinction "Choc" from the French leading magazine Le Monde de la musique, and also a "Diapason d’or." This time, he has devoted himself to Beethoven’s second of the five piano concertos. In fact, this Piano Concerto No. 2 has been composed before the first one by Beethoven who was 25 years old at that time. This piece, full of subtlety and slow movements, ends on the high notes with robust themes, which reminds us of Mozart’s great classicism.

Sudent: David Kadouch
Orchestral accompanist: Lilit Grigoryan

In partnership with The Masterclass Media Foundation Archives, which provides a valuable educational resource in order to perpetuate musical passion and knowledge from one generation to another. [MMF036]