Brahms 2nd Piano Concerto with the Leipzig Symphony Orchestra at the Kulturhaus Böhlen

Ekaterine Khvedelidze performs Brahms' Piano Concerto No. 2 together with the Leipzig Symphony Orchestra at the Kulturhaus Böhlen

• Friday, 06.06.2025
• 19:30 Concert in Kulturhaus Böhlen
• With the Leipzig Symphony Orchestra conducted by Robbert van Steijn

Johannes Brahms' 2nd Piano Concerto

Johannes Brahms' 2nd Piano Concerto in B flat major, Op. 83, was premiered in Budapest on 9 November 1881. The composer himself played the piano part, while Alexander Erkel conducted the orchestra. Brahms' 2nd Piano Concerto is particularly known for its unusual structure and length.

The four-movement structure of the concerto is also worth emphasising, which is atypical for piano concertos, as these usually comprise three movements. The second movement, an Allegro appassionato, adds a dramatic and contrasting note that gives the work a unique depth. The third movement, an Andante, contains a beautiful solo for the cello that creates an intimate and lyrical atmosphere.

The technical demands on pianists are enormous and the concerto is often regarded as one of the most difficult and demanding works in the piano repertoire. Brahms combines his masterful orchestration with complex, virtuoso piano passages that require profound musical and emotional expressiveness.

For interested listeners, Brahms' 2nd Piano Concerto in B flat major, Op. 83, offers a deeply emotional and varied musical journey - which will make a stop at the Kulturhaus Böhlen on 6 June 2025.

ROBBERT VAN STEIJN

Robbert van Steijn stands for diversity and versatility. Robbert van Steijn has been principal conductor and general music director of the Leipzig Symphony Orchestra since autumn 2021. Between 2012 and 2016, he was First Kapellmeister of the Staatskapelle Halle and Kapellmeister of the Halle Opera. In this capacity, he conducted many performances and concerts. He also created a concert series for contemporary music (Farben der Moderne) and several musical education projects.

LEIPZIG SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

The Leipzig Symphony Orchestra has traditionally worked closely with the music academies in Leipzig, Weimar and Dresden. For many years, the orchestra has hosted master classes with Kurt Masur, Kenneth Kiesler, Vladimir Ponkin and others. Its home venue is the Kulturhaus Böhlen, which offers ideal spatial and acoustic conditions.