Beethoven’s final piano concerto is a truly sublime work, born in the face of adversity during the fires of Vienna’s Napoleonic siege. Although the nickname was not Beethoven’s, it has been called ‘an Emperor among concertos’ for good reason; this music has it all: dazzling virtuosity, martial drama, transcendental beauty, and exuberant celebration, all brought to life by Adelaide favourite, Konstantin Shamray.

Elgar’s Serenade for Strings is one of his very first works, preceding his Enigma Variations by six years – some believe it was a reworking of earlier pieces for his wife on the occasion of their third wedding anniversary. Though brief, it is utterly characteristic with graceful amiability and shows the composer’s early mastery of writing for strings.

The Four Sea Interludes from Benjamin Britten’s first successful opera, Peter Grimes, are scene changes by a master of the scene change. They not only take the listener from one physical location to another, but also explore the turmoil in the characters’ minds.

Dukas was a pathological perfectionist who burned all but a dozen of his compositions, La Péri is one of his major works, surviving the fireplace only at the insistence of close friends.

ASO Managing Director Vincent Ciccarello says, “While the orchestra can’t celebrate the 250th anniversary of Beethoven’s birth by performing all nine Beethoven Symphonies as originally planned, we’re thrilled to mark this special occasion with one of our closest friends, Konstantin Shamray and our former Principal Conductor Nicholas Braithwaite.”

Program to include

• DUKAS Fanfare for La Peri

• BRITTEN Four Sea Interludes from Peter Grimes

• ELGAR Serenade for Strings

• BEETHOVEN Piano Concerto No.5 Emperor