Beethoven's Emperor Concerto

The press hailed Beethoven’s final piano concerto as “without doubt one of the most original, imaginative, most effective but also one of the most difficult of concertos” when it was first performed. Renowned Beethoven specialist Rudolph Buchbinder, a guy who’s had a “lifelong fascination with Beethoven,” has performed and recorded the complete concertos and sonatas several times. He joins the Cleveland Orchestra tonight at 7:30 at Severance Hall to perform the piece. Tickets start at $29, and the concert repeats at 11 a.m. tomorrow, at 8 p.m. on Saturday and at 3 p.m. on Sunday. (Niesel)