Leif Ove Andsnes' video guide to Beethoven’s Emperor Concerto

Leif Ove Andsnes is one of today’s greatest living pianists – and he’s particularly brilliant when it comes to Beethoven. So, when we met him at his home in Bergen, we asked him to guide us through one of the composer’s greatest works.

Let’s start at the beginning

And here’s Leif Ove to demonstrate the amazing opening to Beethoven’s Fifth Piano Concerto and to explain exactly why it's so revolutionary.

Leif Ove Andsnes' video guide to Beethoven's 'Emperor' Concert... Leif Ove Andsnes kicks off his video guide to Beethoven's 'Emperor' Concerto Posted by Classic FM on Thursday, 19 November 2015

We’re on to the meat of the First Movement of the 'Emperor' Piano Concerto

We asked Leif Ove to guide us through the different themes that the great composer uses in this section.

Leif Ove Andsnes' video guide to the themes of Beethoven's 'Em... Leif Ove Andsnes introduces the main themes in the first movement of Beethoven's Fifth Piano Concerto Posted by Classic FM on Thursday, 19 November 2015

Now we’re on to the development section

That’s the bit where basically there are no rules and composers can do what the heck they like.

Spoiler: Beethoven went TO TOWN with the octaves.

Leif Ove Andsnes on the epic first movement of the 'Emperor' An introduction to the epic octave writing in Beethoven's 'Emperor' Concerto Posted by Classic FM on Thursday, 19 November 2015

Ok, the second movement – the slow one

Here's Leif Ove to explain exactly how Beethoven breaks your heart.

Leif Ove Andsnes introduces the slow moement of Beethoven's Fi... Leif Ove Andsnes introduces the beautiful slow movement of the 'Emperor' Concerto by Beethoven Posted by Classic FM on Thursday, 19 November 2015

And at the end of this movement, something very special happens

Here’s your guide to the amazing transition between the second and third movements – perhaps the most revolutionary moment in the whole concerto.

Beethoven at his finest – played by Leif Ove Andsnes Leif Ove Andsnes on the awesome 'Emperor' Concerto Posted by Classic FM on Thursday, 19 November 2015

Leif Ove Andsnes' film 'Concerto – A Beethoven Journey' is available to buy on DVD now. And there's plenty more about our trip to Bergen to meet Leif Ove Andsnes right here.