Mozart: Piano Concertos Nos. 25 + 26

Kazakh pianist Alim Beisembayev presents Mozart’s final two piano concertos, conducted by Howard Griffiths in episode 14 of the series "Next Generation Mozart Soloists." Two years separate Concerto K. 503 and Concerto K. 537, which was composed in February 1788. It bears the nickname "Coronation Concerto" because the composer played it in Frankfurt for the coronation of Emperor Leopold II: "Both works are primarily majestic, but they also show moments of playfulness, tenderness, and sometimes nostalgia. Operatic passages can also be heard frequently," says Alim Beisembayev, who studied in both Russia and at the Royal Academy of Music in London. "For a long time, I thought his music was only played by children... Perhaps we understand Mozart best as children, before we feel a desire for 'interpretation.' I find that Mozart’s music should sound pure and innocent."