Stephen Kovacevich teaches Beethoven: "Waldstein" Sonata and Sonata No. 31
Treasures of the Masterclass Media Foundation
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Cast
Stephen Kovacevich — Teacher, pianist
Claire Huangci — Pianist (student)
Pavel Kolesnikov — Pianist (student)
Program notes
Internationally renowned as a soloist and concertist, for performing works from the classical and romantic repertoires, Stephen Kovacevich dedicates himself to Beethoven in this masterclass.
When still a teenager, the American Stephen Kovacevich made his first public appearances alongside with the San Francisco Symphony. But it was only in 1961 that his career really started, when he gave a recital at the Wigmore Hall in London in a program bringing Berg, Bach and Beethoven together. He was so successful that night that he was immediately shot to the top. Then he pursued a career as a soloist and chamber musician, accompanied by Major names such as Jacqueline du Pré or Martha Argerich. Since 1984, he has been carrying out conductor activities brilliantly, conducting for instance the Chamber Orchestra of Europe or the Australian Chamber Orchestra.
In 2003, he recorded the complete Beethoven piano sonatas, earning the distinction "Choc" from the French leading magazine Le Monde de la musique, and also a "Diapason d'or." As expected, he dedicates this masterclass to the Piano Sonata No. 21 called the Waldstein Sonata as a reference to the count Ferdinand von Waldstein friend and protector of the composer, and also to the Piano Sonata No. 31.
The Masterclass Media Foundation Archives offers to students and music lovers around the world filmed masterclasses, given by the best talents, on the greatest works of the classical repertoire. Their primary purpose is to provide a valuable educational resource in order to perpetuate passion and knowledge from one generation to another.
