PC 1: Symphony of Symphonies

Slovenian Philharmonic Orchestra
Soloist: Alexandre Tharaud, piano

Programme: 
Joseph Haydn, Overture to the opera L’isola disabitata, Hob. 28/9
Ludwig van Beethoven,
Piano Concerto No. 2 in B-flat major, Op. 19
Symphony No. 5 in C minor, Op. 67

Listening to the early works of Haydn’s student Beethoven is like looking at old pictures from his youth. In terms of its date of composition, Beethoven’s Second Piano Concerto is actually the first of his five works of this genre. Despite the concerto’s Mozartian agility and elegance, one can already detect the composer’s characteristic vehemence and stubbornness, which will later overwhelm all of the other typical elements in his symphony of all symphonies.