Orchestra Of The Swan, Jason Lai, Lauren Zhang

Schumann, Genoveva, Overture
Beethoven, Piano Concerto No.5
Schumann, Symphony No.2

Conductor Jason Lai
Piano Lauren Zhang

Lauren Zhang, winner of the BBC Young Musician of the Year 2018 and a student at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, makes her debut with OOTS in Beethoven’s 5th Piano Concerto.
The ‘Emperor’ concerto represents the apex of Beethoven’s ‘heroic’ writing. There are plenty of stormy episodes and virtuoso passages for the piano but the balance between them and the tender moments is perfectly judged. Schumann’s admiration of Beethoven went beyond mere words. In 1836 he composed his ‘Grande Sonate’ the proceeds from which were to have been used towards the construction of a monument dedicated to the great composer. He began work on his 2nd symphony in 1845 but was severely hampered by his deteriorating health. It was eventually completed in 1847.