Norwegian pianist Leif Ove Andsnes and the Mahler Chamber Orchestra have just released the third volume of their ongoing "Beethoven Journey" for Sony Classical, featuring the Piano Concerto No. 5 "Emperor" and Choral Fantasy.
Four years have passed since Andsnes and the MCO began their trip. Throughout the process, Andsnes has made Beethoven’s concerti his focus, performing the works in over 150 performances in 55 cities and 22 countries.
This third installment of the "Emperor" concerto and Fantasy in C minor, Op. 80 for piano, chorus and orchestra were recorded live, in concert, at the Prague Spring Festival this past May.
For the sessions, Andsnes performed and conducted from the keyboard.
A third leg of their joint "Beethoven Journey" project is an educational series entitled “Feel the Music.” This segment gives children with hearing impairment the opportunity to experience music in personal workshops and on the concert platform with Andsnes and the MCO.
A complete "Beethoven Journey" will be released as a box set on October 28, 2014--available both in digital and physical formats.
To kick off their 2014-15 season, Andsnes and the Mahler Chamber Orchestra have a year full of residencies in Hamburg, Bonn, Lucerne, Vienna, Paris, New York, Shanghai, Tokyo and London, to name a few.
Listen below to Andsnes chat about his "Beethoven Journey."
