Beethoven’s first two piano concertos in B♭ Major and C Major had such long overlapping gestations that when historical documents refer to a performance of an early version of a Beethoven piano concerto, Beethoven scholars are not always sure which one it is.
It is now believed that Beethoven completed his Piano Concerto in B♭ (Day 110) in 1798, and the one in C Major in 1800. They were both published in 1801 but in opposite order: the C Major as Opus 15 (now called Piano Concerto No. 1) and the B♭ as Opus 19 (hence, No. 2).
While the first movement of Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 1 doesn’t seem to break much new ground, it’s followed by a wonderful Largo, and then a fun witty Rondo finale that continues to surprise with its contrasting episodes.
#Beethoven250 Day 122
Piano Concerto No. 1 in C Major (Opus 15), 1795–1800
The great Martha Argerich follows her performance in Budapest with a couple of encores.
#Beethoven250 Day 122
Piano Concerto No. 1 in C Major(Opus 15), 1795–1800
It's only the Rondo, but it's Yuja Wang conducting the Mahler Chamber Orchestra from the piano!