Kirill Gerstein handled piano duties for the symphony. | Grand Rapids Symphony/Facebook
Kirill Gerstein handled piano duties for the symphony. | Grand Rapids Symphony/Facebook
The Grand Rapids Symphony performed "The Emperor: Beethoven’s Piano Concertos" in early March.
Marcelo Lehninger conducted the orchestra, while Kirill Gerstein played piano in five concertos over the course of two days, according to the symphony's website.
The performances were held on March 11 and 12. Friday’s concert highlighted Beethoven's "Piano Concerto No. 2," "Piano Concerto No. 3," and "Piano Concerto No. 4." Saturday’s concert featured Beethoven's "Overture to Coriolan," "Piano Concerto No. 1," and "Piano Concerto No. 5," titled "Emperor."
Ludwig van Beethoven was a German composer whose works are among the most performed classics in the world, according to Wikipedia. Most people would easily recognize the opening bars of "Symphony No. 5 in C Minor, Op. 67," colloquially known as "Beethoven's Fifth Symphony". The four-note sequence is said to represent "fate knocking at the door," according to Britannica.com.
A free lecture preceded both concerts. The lessons shed light on some aspects of the concerts, the symphony's website said.
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