The Philadelphia Orchestra Yannick Nézet-Séguin Music Director

Beethoven composed “the most positive music ever written,” with every work containing “every emotion known to man,” says Emanuel Ax, who completes our piano concerto cycle. Beethoven made his public debut with his Second Concerto, a dramatic, humorous, ebullient work that announced the young artist's arrival. The muscular Third embodies Beethoven's “proud Prospero-like assertion of his beloved C-minor powers.” (Gramophone) Rising star and Curtis Institute of Music graduate Karina Canellakis makes her Philadelphia Orchestra debut, also leading Canadian composer Zosha Di Castri's 2015 tribute to her grandmother and Lutoslawski's fascinating showpiece for orchestra.

The February 6–8 concerts are sponsored by

Emanuel Ax’s performances are sponsored in part by Robert E. Mortensen.

The February 6 concert is sponsored by Kristen Phillips and Matthew Schreck.