‘Belgian National Orchestra, Wolff & Y. Chen’

Chinese cellist Yibai Chen (Queen Elisabeth Competition 2022) performs Shostakovich's First Cello Concerto, one of the most difficult pieces in the cello repertoire. The conductor emeritus Hugh Wolff then takes on Beethoven's Third Symphony. This piece is revolutionary not only in its form but also in its content. After a severe personal crisis triggered by his ever-increasing deafness, Beethoven straightened his back with this symphony - a victory of the mind over the body. He also expressed his admiration for Napoleon Bonaparte in this work. However, when Napoleon was crowned Emperor a few years later, Beethoven tore up the title page of his symphony in a fit of disappointment and anger.