Pianoconcert

Elisabeth Leonskaja, long recognized as one of the greatest pianists of our time, shares her wealth of experience with Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 5, the 'Emperor', with the players of the Orchestre Français des Jeunes, aged between 16 and 25 years. The conductor is Denmark-born Michael Schønwandt, who was music director of the orchestra from 2021 to 2024. "It is so important to be able to pass on the great works of our repertoire", he says, "I want the players to absorb the knowledge, the love, the demands and the depth that can be found in each work." Elisabeth Leonskaja agrees with this: "We feel a great responsibility and it is a responsibility to pass this on to these young people." The album is completed by Beethoven's Quintet for piano and wind instruments, which, like Piano Concerto No. 5, is in the key of E-flat major. "It is truly the ultimate piano concerto", says Leonskaja. "Nothing surpasses the connection it creates between soloist, conductor and orchestra."