P5 / Beethoven 200: Tribute to a genius ⬩ Prague Radio Symphony Orchestra

This second evening marking Beethoven’s anniversary presents the middle and late phases of his piano writing. Piano Concerto No. 3 in C minor offers dramatic contrasts, energetic solo passages, and a palpable tension between soloist and orchestra. Piano Concerto No. 5 in E-flat major, known as the “Emperor”, impresses with its open, ceremonial sound and lyrical passages that resemble a dialogue. Jean-Efflam Bavouzet balances expressive intensity with refinement, bringing fresh energy 
and vitality to the music.

Elias Grandy, the German-Japanese conductor, is taking up the post of Chief Conductor and Artistic Director of the Prague Radio Symphony Orchestra from the 2026/27 season. He performs with leading orchestras, including the Vienna Symphony Orchestra, the Orchestre National du Capitole de Toulouse, and the Yomiuri Nippon Symphony Orchestra, and collaborates with major opera houses from Oper Frankfurt to the Semperoper Dresden and Nikikai Opera Tokyo. He began his career as Kapellmeister at the Staatstheater Darmstadt and in 2015 received an award at the prestigious Sir Georg Solti International Conducting Competition. He is known as a passionate musical storyteller whose programmes combine the great works of the orchestral repertoire with operatic productions and are widely praised by both audiences and critics.

Jean-Efflam Bavouzet is one of the leading French pianists of his generation. He studied at the Conservatoire de Paris with Pierre Sancan and later refined his artistry with Paul Badura-Skoda, Nikita Magaloff, and György Sándor. Early in his career he won first prize at the International Beethoven Piano Competition in Cologne (1986) and succeeded in the Young Concert Artists auditions in New York. His extensive discography, particularly his recordings of music by Debussy, Ravel, and Prokofiev, has received numerous honours, including the Gramophone Award, BBC Music Magazine Award, and Diapason d’Or.

This unique evening offers an exceptional opportunity to hear two of Beethoven’s great works performed by the internationally acclaimed pianist Jean-Efflam Bavouzet. This exclusive project is not to be missed by lovers of Beethoven’s music.