To celebrate his January residency at Royal Festival Hall, Sky Arts 2 presents a month of classic Daniel Barenboim performances.

Considered one of the greatest pianists of modern times, he began his musical career as a child prodigy in the 1940s, performing his first concert aged just seven. Now, the Argentinian-born maestro has gone on to direct and conduct orchestras around the world with a unique passion and flair that has earned him boundless critical acclaim.

Highlights include Daniel Barenboim giving a series of moving performances of Beethoven’s sonatas. In a separate programme, he discusses and analyses some of Beethoven’s finest pieces in a series of masterclasses, giving viewers an intimate insight into the work of the great composer.

The month begins with the 2007 Klavier-Festival in Ruhr. Conducting and playing at the same time, the prolific artist and former wunderkind proves to be a perfect match for Beethoven’s demanding masterpiece, as he and one of his favourite orchestras, the Staatskapelle Berlin, perform the great composer’s five Piano Concertos.

 

Barenboim on Beethoven

Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 1 In C Major, Op. 15

7pm, Mon 4 Jan, Sky Arts 2 / HD
From the 2007 Klavier-Festival in Ruhr, soloist Daniel Barenboim performs the first of Beethoven's piano concertos before conducting the Stattskapelle Berlin.

Beethoven:Piano Concerto No. 2 In B-Flat Major

19 – 7pm, Tue 5 Jan, Sky Arts 2 / HD
Soloist Daniel Barenboim performs Beethoven's second Concerto before conducting the Staatskapelle Berlin at the 2007 Klavier-Festival.

Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 3 In C Minor, Op. 37 – 7pm

Wed 6 Jan, Sky Arts 2
Daniel Barenboim performs Beethoven's third concerto before conducting the Staatskapelle Berlin at the 2007 Klavier-Festival

Barenboim On Beethoven: Masterclass 4: Lang Lang

7pm, Thurs 14 Jan, Sky Arts 2  / HD
Expert musician Daniel Barenboim discusses and analyses some of Beethoven's finest pieces in a series of masterclasses with young musicians, showing them how to play his work.

Barenboim On Beethoven: Masterclass 5: Saleem Abboud Ashkar

7pm, Fri 15 Jan, Sky Arts 2 / HD
Expert musician Daniel Barenboim discusses and analyses some of Beethoven's finest pieces in a series of masterclasses with young musicians, showing them how to play his work.
 
BARENBOIM: MASTERCLASSES

Barenboim On Beethoven: Masterclass 6: Jonathan Biss

7pm, Mon 18 Jan, Sky Arts 2 / HD
Expert musician Daniel Barenboim discusses and analyses some of Beethoven's finest pieces in a series of masterclasses with young musicians, showing them how to play his work.

Barenboim On Beethoven: Masterclass 7: David Kadouch

7pm, Tue 19 Jan, Sky Arts 2 / HD
Expert musician Daniel Barenboim discusses and analyses some of Beethoven's finest pieces in a series of masterclasses with young musicians, showing them how to play his work.

School Of Listening - Daniel Barenboim

7pm, Wed 20 Jan, Sky Arts 2/ HD
The celebrated conductor explores the phenomenon of sound and the importance of the human ear in an afternoon workshop at the 2007 Salzburg Festival.

School Of Listening - Daniel Barenboim

7pm, Thurs 21 Jan, Sky Arts 2 / HD
The celebrated conductor explores the phenomenon of sound and the importance of the human ear in an afternoon workshop at the 2007 Salzburg Festival.

School Of Listening - Daniel Barenboim

7pm, Fri 22 Jan, Sky Arts 2 / HD
Composer and conductor Pierre Boulez rehearses Bela Bartok’s rarely played Four Orchestral Pieces, answering questions from the audience and musicians at the 2007 Salzburg Festival.

Barenboim On Beethoven: Sonatas 7

8pm, Thurs 28 Jan, Sky Arts 2 / HD
Daniel Barenboim has many similarities with Beethoven, touring as a prestigious pianist before his teens and achieving worldwide fame. Here he gives a performance of the composer's Sonatas.

Barenboim On Beethoven: Sonatas 8

8pm, Fri 29 Jan, Sky Arts 2/ HD
Daniel Barenboim has many similarities with Beethoven, touring as a prestigious pianist before his teens and achieving worldwide fame. Here he gives a performance of the composer's Sonatas.