FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Baltimore (May 23, 2019) – The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra announced today that Lukáš Vondráček will replace André Watts as the featured soloist for the May 30 – June 2 performances of Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 5, “Emperor,” conducted by Marin Alsop. Due to an injury, it is with great regret that André Watts must cancel his appearances with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra.

Lukáš Vondráček last appeared with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra and Marin Alsop in September 2017, performing Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 3 in D Minor. Vondráček’s performance was described as “a triumph” by The Washington Post and “a riveting account of the imposing Rachmaninoff concerto” by The Baltimore Sun.

Winner of the International Queen Elisabeth Piano Competition in 2016, Lukáš Vondráček made his debut with the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra and Vladimir Ashkenazy at age 15, which was followed by a major U.S. tour in 2003. He performs regularly with the London, St. Petersburg and Royal Liverpool philharmonic orchestras; Tonhalle-Orchester Zürich; Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin; NDR Sinfonieorchester Hamburg; and the Vienna, National, NHK and Cincinnati symphony orchestras.

Calendar editors, please note the dates of performances below:

Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 5, “Emperor”

THU, MAY 30, 8 PM at the Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall
SUN, JUN 2, 3 PM at The Music Center at Strathmore

Marin Alsop, conductor Lukáš Vondráček, piano

BRAHMS arr. Schoenberg Piano Quartet in G Minor BEETHOVEN Piano Concerto No. 5, “Emperor”

Winner of the 2016 International Queen Elisabeth Piano Competition, Lukáš Vondráček will perform Beethoven’s last piano concerto, the mighty “Emperor.” Marin Alsop also leads the Orchestra in Brahms’ most exhilarating chamber work, his youthful Piano Quartet in G Minor with its thrilling rondo finale, arranged for large orchestra by Schoenberg.

Off The Cuff: Piano Concerto No. 5, “Emperor”

FRI, MAY 31, 8:15 PM at The Music Center at Strathmore
SAT, JUN 1, 7 PM at the Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall

Marin Alsop, conductor Lukáš Vondráček, piano

BEETHOVEN Piano Concerto No. 5, “Emperor”

Lukáš Vondráček joins Marin Alsop and the BSO for a performance and discussion of Beethoven’s last piano concerto, the mighty and majestic “Emperor.” This 60-minute Off The Cuff concert provides more insight into a single work, followed by a question-and-answer session.

Media Contacts 

Linda Moxley, VP of Marketing & Communications                       Rosie Constantine, Communications Coordinator

410.783.8020 lmoxley@BSOmusic.org                                         410.783.8133 rconstantine@bsomusic.org