Soloist Insights: Terence Dennis on Beethoven's 'Triple Concerto'

It is a particular privilege and pleasure to perform the piano part in Beethoven’s Triple Concerto, such an imposing, spacious and noble work from the composer’s "Middle Period", and a fitting musical tribute to celebrate the 100th year of the University of Otago’s Department of Music.

I look forward to my partnership with staff colleagues Tessa Petersen, violin and Heleen du Plessis, cello, and in my case, I revisit the work afresh this year: I performed it on an earlier occasion in the Dunedin Town Hall, with my American staff colleagues at the time, violinist Kevin LeFohn, cellist Scott Terzaghi, and the Dunedin Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Nicholas Braithwaite.

It is thought that Beethoven wrote the piano part for his royal pupil, the Archduke Rudolph, youngest son the Austrian Emperor: Rudolph was to become a great patron of Beethoven, and fourteen major works of the composer are dedicated to him, including the “Emperor” Piano Concerto and the great Missa Solemnis. It’s good to think that playing the piano part brings to life such a famous collaboration!