6 Piano Concertos You Need to Hear Live
The combination of piano and symphony orchestra is pure magic—no other instrument has inspired so many concertos. The internet is filled with stunning piano concerto recordings, but nothing compares to the thrill of experiencing them live.
In the 2025–26 concert season, you can experience this magic for yourself with the Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra in six of the greatest piano concertos of all time, performed by world-class pianists. Each of the concerts below features a renowned classical masterpiece—iconic works by legendary composers that you can witness live. We’ve listed them for you in no particular order. Want to learn more about the classical pieces featured in these concerts? Read on below the concert schedule.
This Is Why These Are the Most Beautiful Piano Concertos
- Symfonie Fantastique
- Beethoven and Mahler
- Adès and Stravinsky
- Martha Argerich plays Schumann
- Lahav plays Sjostakovitsj
- Trifonov plays Brahms
Symfonie Fantastique
Saint-Saëns’ Fifth Piano Concerto
Saint-Saëns’ Piano Concerto No. 5, better known as The Egyptian, is a musical journey that pushes the boundaries of classical music. Composed during his stay in Egypt, the piece transports listeners to an exotic world filled with mysterious Eastern melodies and enchanting rhythms. The second movement evokes a sultry night on the Nile, where Saint-Saëns brings the rowing songs of Nubian fishermen to life on the piano. But make no mistake—this concerto is also a dazzling technical showcase, packed with breathtaking runs and brilliant harmonies. A sparkling and unexpected masterpiece where the elegance of French music merges with the magic of the Middle East.
This concert takes place on October 17 and 19, 2025, where top pianist Alexandre Kantorow will perform Saint-Saëns’ Fifth Piano Concerto. Mark your calendar and don’t miss this extraordinary musical journey! Get your tickets here.
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Beethoven and Mahler
Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 4
With his Fourth Piano Concerto, Beethoven created a marvel of tenderness and dialogue: a poetic conversation between piano and orchestra, in which silence speaks as eloquently as sound. Pianist Francesco Piemontesi lends it a refined radiance. His playing is lucid and thoughtful, imbued with a natural poetry that lets the music breathe. “Francesco Piemontesi combines a dazzling technique with an intellectual depth that few can match,” as The Spectator Australia wrote.
Experience this concert on October 30 or 31, 2025, as superstar Francesco Piemontesi performs Beethoven's Fourth Piano Concerto. Mark your calendar and get your tickets here.
Adès and Stravinsky
Thomas Adès’ Piano Concerto
Thomas Adès’ Piano Concerto is one of the most thrilling and groundbreaking piano concertos of the 21st century. While many contemporary composers lean towards minimalism or abstraction, Adès embraces the grandeur and virtuosity of the Romantic tradition—infused with a bold, modern edge. His music bursts with explosive energy, creating a sound world that is both innovative and deeply expressive. The New York Times praised his recent work, writing: “Adès, particularly in the past decade, seems to have flung open the gates of heaven, unleashing forces that overwhelm and awe in their immensity.”
Experience this concert on November 21 or 23, 2025, as top pianist Kirill Gerstein performs Adès’ Piano Concerto. Mark your calendar and get your tickets here.
Martha Argerich plays Schumann
Schumann’s Piano Concerto
Schumann’s Piano Concerto is a Romantic masterpiece, but in the hands of 83-year-old Martha Argerich, it gains an intensity unlike any other. Her playing is a breathtaking fusion of unbridled energy and near-supernatural technique, making her one of the greatest pianists of all time. “Piano legend Argerich makes all eyes sparkle” ★★★★★, wrote NRC last year. “Argerich is a force of nature,” headlined De Volkskrant with another five-star review. A performance of Schumann’s concerto by Argerich is more than just a concert—it’s an experience that sweeps you away, stuns, and deeply moves.
Experience this extraordinary event on November 27, 2025, as the living legend Martha Argerich performs Schumann’s Piano Concerto. Mark your calendar and get your tickets now.
Martha Argerich virtuoos op de toetsen
Lahav plays Sjostakovitsj
Shostakovich’s Second Piano Concerto
Shostakovich’s Second Piano Concerto is a vibrant and playful work, featuring an irresistibly lyrical second movement that tugs at the heartstrings. But what makes this performance truly extraordinary is that Lahav Shani will not only conduct but also perform the demanding solo part—a rare and impressive dual role requiring absolute concentration, control, and musicianship. The Guardian praised Shani’s talent, writing: ★★★★★ “Lahav Shani played and conducted Prokofiev’s Third Piano Concerto with a devil-may-care brilliance.”
Experience this special concert on March 1, 2026, as our chief conductor Lahav Shani takes on Shostakovich’s Second Piano Concerto from both the piano and the podium. Mark your calendar and get your tickets now.
Trifonov plays Brahms
Brahms’ Second Piano Concerto
Brahms’ Second Piano Concerto is a monumental work, rich in symphonic grandeur. But in the hands of Daniil Trifonov, it transforms into something truly magical. Known for his extraordinary concentration and almost trance-like immersion in the music, he loses himself completely in every detail. His unique physical expressiveness at the piano—his playful, sometimes almost eccentric movements—makes his performances as visually captivating as they are musically profound (see video below). More than just a pianist, Trifonov is a storyteller, drawing listeners into a world of intensity and imagination.
Experience this unforgettable concert on May 21 or 22, 2026, as world-class pianist Daniil Trifonov performs Brahms’ Second Piano Concerto. Mark your calendar and get your tickets now.
Daniil Trifonov speelt op het beroemde Tiny Desk concert
