Concerto Budapest Symphony Orchestra

Concerto Budapest Symphony Orchestra
András Keller, director 
Paul Lewis, piano

Tchaikovsky Francesca da Rimini
Beethoven Piano Concerto No. 3 
Liszt Les Préludes 
Beethoven Symphony No.5 in C minor, Op 67 

One of Europe’s leading ensembles, András Keller’s Concerto Budapest Symphony Orchestra brings a tragic love story writ large and a game-changing concerto to the National Concert Hall.  

Lyrical and tempestuous, Tchaikovsky’s Dante-inspired symphonic fantasy Francesca da Rimini is one of his most dramatic works, its ferocious passion a powerful example of his fascination with love turned sour. Much of its distinctive colouring comes from the use of piccolo, English horn, harp, and extensive percussion.

Virtuosity and drama combine in Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 3 as conflict gives way to sunburst joy. Its outer movements treat Romantic anguish with gripping symphonic grandeur and elegant pathos, framing a spellbinding dialogue between the sombre, inward-looking meditation of the piano and a now serene, now muscular orchestra.

Paul Lewis is one of the finest Beethoven interpreters of our time. His widely acclaimed survey of all five piano concertos was hailed by Gramophone ‘a superlative achievement [that] take their place among the finest Beethoven piano concerto performances’. 

Concerto Budapest is one of Hungary’s oldest ensembles with more than 100 years of history. Under András Keller’s leadership, the orchestra has undergone a major period of artistic growth and development, with the foremost young chamber musicians joining the orchestra. It is now one of the most progressive and versatile symphonic orchestras, whose playing is characterised by passion, energy, and commitment.

Presented by NCH