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Haochen Zhang performs and Nathalie Stutzmann conducts, in an all-Beethoven program

Benjamin Ealovega

Join us on Sunday, Nov. 17 at 1 p.m. on WRTI 90.1, and Monday, Nov. 18 at 7 p.m. on WRTI HD-2 when the Philadelphia Orchestra in Concert series brings you an all-Beethoven program from the 2023/2024 season.

The Philadelphia Orchestra, its principal guest conductor Nathalie Stutzmann, and celebrated pianist Haochen Zhang reunite to perform Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 5 in E-flat Major, known as the “Emperor” Concerto, having recorded it together as part of their complete set of the Beethoven piano concertos on Bis Records. After intermission, Maestra Stutzmann leads Beethoven’s grand and spacious Symphony No. 7 in A Major.

Haochen Zhang on recording the entire collection of Beethoven concertos with the Philadelphia Orchestra and what it means to return to No. 5 live in concert.
Haochen Zhang on recording the entire collection of Beethoven concertos with the Philadelphia Orchestra and what it means to return to No. 5 live in concert.

Ludwig van Beethoven wrote his final piano concerto in 1809. By this time he was widely recognized as the greatest living composer in Europe, a renown propelled in large part by his first six symphonies, and by his first four piano concertos, which he had premiered as soloist. He was a formidable virtuoso, and made a great case for his masterful concertos.

But the composer’s growing deafness had forced him to retire from public performances at the piano, and the Emperor was the only one of his concertos that he did not introduce himself. It is the largest in scale and introduces a number of fascinating innovations. The nickname “Emperor” is not the composer’s name for the piece – it’s thought a publisher invented it. In fact, Beethoven probably would have disliked it, since he disapproved of the conquests and imperial ambitions of the leading political figure of the time, the Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte.

A few years later, in 1813, the tide was turning in the Napoleonic wars as Beethoven led the premiere of his Seventh Symphony in Vienna. In the same concert he unveiled Wellington’s Victory, written to commemorate a famous battle in which the Duke of Wellington soundly defeated Napoleon’s brother, Joseph Bonaparte. In short, there was a triumphant spirit in the air, which the Seventh Symphony brilliantly captured. The work met an ecstatic reception, and the second movement Allegretto was encored.

Richard Wagner famously called this symphony “the apotheosis of the dance,” referring to a dancelike energy throughout the work, even in that solemn Allegretto. After the expansive and slow introduction establishes a sense of expectation, each of the four movements is dominated by its very own compact, recurrent rhythmic figure, building a compelling drive even as Beethoven unfurls a seemingly limitless variety of ideas. There are inspired melodies and countermelodies, harmonic and dynamic surprises, and masterful touches of orchestration.

PROGRAM:

Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 5 in E-flat Major, Op. 73

Beethoven: Symphony No. 7 in A Major, Op. 92

The Philadelphia Orchestra

Nathalie Stutzmann, conductor

Haochen Zhang, piano

WRTI PRODUCTION TEAM:

Melinda Whiting: Host

Alex Ariff: Senior Producer

Joseph Patti: Broadcast Engineer

Listen to The Philadelphia Orchestra in Concert broadcasts, every Sunday at 1 PM on WRTI 90.1, streaming at WRTI.org, on the WRTI mobile app, and on your favorite smart speaker. Listen again on Mondays at 7 PM on WRTI HD-2. Listen for up to two weeks after broadcast on WRTI Replay.

Melinda has worked in radio for decades, hosting and producing classical music and arts news. An award-winning broadcaster, she has created and hosted classical music programs and reported for NPR, WQXR—New York, WHYY–Philadelphia, and American Public Media. WRTI listeners may remember her years hosting classical music for WFLN and WHYY.