Barbican
7:30pm – 9:30pm
PROGRAMME
- Beethoven The Creatures of Prometheus Overture, Op. 43
- Beethoven Piano Concerto No. 1 in C major, Op. 15
- Interval – 30 minutes
- Beethoven Piano Concerto No. 3 in C minor, Op. 37
OVERVIEW
In one of 2016/17’s classical highlights, world-leading pianist Murray Perahia celebrates the genius of Ludwig van Beethoven in Perahia Plays Beethoven, a four-concert series at London’s Barbican with the Academy of St Martin in the Fields.
Over the course of the season, the acclaimed American applies his penetrating intellect and exquisite musicianship to the brilliant German’s much-loved Piano Concertos, play-directing all five from the piano.
For this series-opening concert, Perahia contrasts the Classical elegance of Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 1 with the dark, brooding drama of his Piano Concerto No. 3. Academy Leader Tomo Keller directs the orchestra in the overture to Beethoven’s ballet The Creatures of Prometheus – a fiery, whirlwind of an overture evoking Prometheus’ daring escape from Olympus of Greek mythology – before Perahia takes centre-stage for the main event.
The other concerts in the series take place on 20 February, 7 April and 11 June.
We spoke to Murray for a special two-part edition of the Academy Podcast, where he delved into the details of all five piano concertos:
This concert is recommended by Classic FM. Click here to find out more about the Academy’s partnership with Classic FM.
Tickets from £10 plus booking fee*
15% discount for booking all four concerts in the series at once – enquire at the Barbican Box Office for more details.
*Booking fees: £3 online, £4 by telephone. There is no fee when tickets are booked in person from the Barbican Box Office.
£5 tickets for students and under 25s in our Front Row scheme are now sold out. Join Front Row and receive advanced notification of availability for future concerts by signing up to our Front Row mailing list.