Beethoven: Pianos concertos 1 & 4 Martin Helmchen, Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin & Andrew Manze

• Ludwig van Beethoven (1770 - 1827): Piano concerto No. 1 in C Major, Op. 15:
• 1Piano concerto No. 1 in C Major, Op. 15: I. Allegro con brio15:11
• 2Piano concerto No. 1 in C Major, Op. 15: II. Largo10:27
• 3Piano concerto No. 1 in C Major, Op. 15: III. Rondo. Allegro09:13
• Piano concerto No. 4 in G Major, Op. 58:
• 4Piano concerto No. 4 in G Major, Op. 58: I. Allegro moderato18:59
• 5Piano concerto No. 4 in G Major, Op. 58: II. Andante con moto05:21
• 6Piano concerto No. 4 in G Major, Op. 58: Rondo. Vivace10:25
• Total Runtime01:09:36

Info for Beethoven: Pianos concertos 1 & 4

Beethoven’s piano concertos are a precious source for understanding the history of the practice of this instrument, which, in the early nineteenth century, permanently replaced the harpsichord in the hearts of composers. Thus one can still hear the galant influence of Mozart in the First Concerto (1795-1800), whereas the Fourth (1805-06) reveals the introspective personality, at once vigorous and generous, of a Beethoven at the height of his artistic maturity. In the second instalment of his recording of the complete concertos, the German pianist Martin Helmchen performs these two contrasting works with Andrew Manze and the Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin.

Martin Helmchen, piano
Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin
Andrew Manze, conductor

Martin Helmchen
With his highly virtuosic yet unpretentious style, pianist Martin Helmchen is a rapidly rising star. Born in Berlin in 1982, he has already performed with several of the world’s most prestigious orchestras, including the Berlin Philharmonic, London Philharmonic, Vienna Philharmonic and the NHK Symphony Orchestra in Japan. He will make his U.S. orchestral debut playing the Schumann concerto under Christoph von Dohnányi at Tanglewood in August 2011. Mr. Helmchen has also performed with the Birmingham Symphony, BBC Symphony, Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie/Bremen, DSO/Berlin, Frankfurt Radio Orchestra, Giuseppe Verdi Symphony Orchestra/Milan, Netherlands Philharmonic, Orchestre Philharmonique de Monte-Carlo and the Stuttgart Radio Orchestra. Future engagements include the Academy of St. Martin’s in the Fields, Bournemouth Symphony, Cologne Philharmonic, the Hallé Orchestra/Manchester and the London Philharmonia.

An active recording artist, Mr. Helmchen’s debut disc of Mozart concertos with the Netherlands Chamber Philharmonic was released in September 2007 through his exclusive contract with PentaTone. A recording of works by Schubert, his first solo CD, won an ECHO Award in 2009. Other discs for PentaTone include the Mendelssohn concertos, the Schumann and Dvorák concertos, and Schubert’s complete works for violin and piano with Julia Fischer. Mr. Helmchen has a passion for chamber music. Largely ignited by his early collaborations with the late cellist Boris Pergamenschikow, he now performs regularly with Heinrich Schiff and Marie-Elisabeth Hecker. Other partners include Juliane Banse, Julia Fischer, Sharon Kam, Gidon Kremer, Sabine Meyer, Christian Tetzlaff, Lars Vogt and Tabea Zimmermann. Also an enthusiastic recitalist, Mr. Helmchen has performed at prestigious venues throughout Europe and appears regularly at all the major German festivals, as well as Schubertiade, Lockenhaus and Marlboro.

Martin Helmchen studied at Berlin’s Hanns Eisler Conservatory with Galina Iwanzowa and later with Arie Vardie at the Hochschule für Musik und Theater (Hanover) and with William Grant Naboré. His career took off when he won the 2001 Clara Haskil International Piano Competition at the age of 19. Other distinctions include a fellowship from the Borletti-Buitoni Trust in 2005, the Credit Suisse Young Artist Award in 2006 and participation in the BBC New Generation Artist program from 2005-2007.

Booklet for Beethoven: Pianos concertos 1 & 4