London Mozart Players
Howard Shelley
piano/director
Beethoven
Piano Concerto No. 2 in Bb Op. 19
Beethoven
Piano Concerto No. 1 in C Op. 15

Howard Shelley OBE performs all five Beethoven Piano Concertos in one day to mark his 70th birthday.

In addition to Howard Shelley’s 70th birthday, 2020 also sees the 250th anniversary of the birth of Beethoven, and when the London Mozart Players suggested the idea of a special celebration to Howard (who has given hundreds of performances with them over 45 years and is their Conductor Laureate) he decided that the joy and challenge of performing these five masterpieces in one sweep would be the most thrilling and indulgent 70th birthday present anyone could wish for.

Shelley has described the Beethoven piano concertos as a ‘Giant’s Causeway’ between the Classical and Romantic eras, progressing from the Mozartian qualities of the first he wrote to the almost Lisztian virtuosity and grandeur of the incomparable ‘Emperorconcerto.

Conducting the London Mozart Players from the keyboard during these three inter-linked concerts, Howard will take us chronologically through the concertos, presenting each with a personal introduction illustrating how Beethoven gave the piano an ever-increasing dramatic and heroic power, even as, in his personal life, he moved from exuberant vigour to silent isolation.

Shelley’s CD set of the complete concertos won 5-star reviews in the musical press. Described by International Record Review as offering ‘performances that are vital, deeply considered and immensely satisfying’, it was also Editor’s Choice and Critics Choice in Gramophone magazine.
 
 
 
On a very special day that honours the best of the best, come and celebrate with Howard Shelley and the London Mozart Players.

This three-concerts series begins at 3pm; attend all three for just £45 (+ booking fee).

Concert 1: 3.00–4.15pm 

Beethoven 2nd Piano Concerto
(which was written first)

Beethoven 1st Piano Concerto

45 min break

Concert 2: 5.00–6.30pm 

Beethoven 3rd Piano Concerto

Beethoven 4th Piano Concerto

1 hour break

Concert 3: 7.30–8.30pm 

Beethoven 5th Piano Concerto ‘Emperor’

 

Reviews from Howard Shelley’s boxed-set recordings of Beethoven’s Piano Concertos: ‘Easily the equal of starrier sets from the past – Barenboim, Kempf, Perahia etc.’ The Arts Desk

‘Shelley's delicate and beguiling touch immediately draws the listener in, and when the strings answer his perfectly weighted phrase with equally gentle seductiveness before building to a glorious climax you're already asking yourself why can't all recordings sound this good?’ Classic FM Magazine

‘Deeply satisfying performances, expressively modulated and beautifully recorded . . . Throughout, Shelley is a master of the notes, free from indulgence and mannerism, but always with spring, sparkle, shape and significance. A special set of performances – for a lifetime’s enjoyment’ Time Out

londonmozartplayers.com