Imperial brilliance: Beethoven’s “Emperor” and Mozart’s “Jupiter”

Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No 5—known as “Emperor”— combines heroic sweep with lyrical depth: noble in scale, expansive in vision and ablaze with virtuosic brilliance. Written while Vienna was under siege by Napoleon, the concerto radiates confidence and heroism, yet also reveals Beethoven’s poetic side in its rapturous slow movement.

Together with the Academy of St Martin in the Fields and Hong Kong conductor Wilson Ng, South Korean pianist Minsoo Sohn will bring this vibrant score to life. Sohn, a laureate of the Honens International Piano Competition and mentor to fellow virtuoso Yunchan Lim, has been acclaimed by The New York Times for his “thoughtful and poetic interpretation”. He spent four years immersed in Beethoven’s complete piano works, appearing in a monumental cycle of concerts and recordings praised for their clarity, poetry and insight. Sohn returns to Hong Kong following his sold-out concerto concert at the 2024 HKAF.

ASMF will also perform Mozart’s final symphony, the “Jupiter”—a nickname invoking the splendour of the king of the Roman gods. With radiant themes, jubilant energy and a finale of dazzling exuberance, it crowns Mozart’s symphonic achievement. Renowned for its affinity with this repertoire, ASMF promises a performance alive with detail, finesse and expressive warmth.

Advance bookings will start at 10am on 16 October 2025