Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra

In early May 1809, Ludwig van Beethoven's friend and patron, Archduke Rudolph, fled from Vienna to the Hungarian territories to escape the advancing Napoleonic troops. At a time when Beethoven, like the rest of the Viennese population, was suffering under the occupation—“cursed war,” he lamented in a letter in September 1809—he composed his 5th Piano Concerto. Sergei Prokofiev aimed to symbolize “the triumph of the human spirit” in his 5th Symphony, which premiered in January 1945, created amid World War II. Both composers produced truly heroic works from their souls in the face of threats to life and limb, including virtuosic sparks. The Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, consistently ranked among the top 5 orchestras in the world, will ensure that sparks will fly orchestral as well this evening. Also highly regarded today are Gothenburg and Philharmonia chief Santtu-Matias Rouvali and Grammy winner Víkingur Ólafsson on piano.

**Cast**
Orchestra: Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra
Conductor: Santtu-Matias Rouvali
Piano: Víkingur Ólafsson

**Program**
Ludwig van Beethoven
Piano Concerto No. 5 in E-flat major, Op. 73
- Intermission -
Sergei Prokofiev
Symphony No. 5 in B-flat major, Op. 100