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

20 November 2015, 09:39 | Updated: 20 November 2015, 14:31

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.

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.

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.

Ok, the second movement – the slow one

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

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.

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.