Su Yeon Kim & Jae-Yeon Won at the Bergson: Beethoven's Ninth

They are probably the most difficult pieces one can play on the piano: Ludwig van Beethoven’s nine symphonies, arranged by Franz Liszt. Only a brilliant pianist—one of the greatest virtuosos of all time, like Franz Liszt—could dare to transcribe such monumental symphonic works for the piano. For what would otherwise be played by 60 or 70 musicians must here be accomplished by ten fingers. And Liszt, who knew no technical limits, let his creativity run wild. The enormous demands of these arrangements are the main reason why one virtually never gets to experience the entire cycle of all nine symphonies. To mark the 200th anniversary of the composer’s death, the Bergson Kunstkraftwerk is presenting this rarity. It will be performed by the finest young pianists of our time: Steinway Prize winners, most of whom have already performed at the Bergson and are now returning.

When Su Yeon Kim and Jae-Yeon Won last performed here in 2025, they were newlyweds. As a duo, they will bring the cycle to its climax with the Ninth Symphony. For Franz Liszt, the Ninth was the greatest challenge of all. Not only the massive orchestra, but also four soloists and a large choir had to be brought to life on the piano.

That is why Liszt arranged the famous choral movement based on Friedrich Schiller’s ode “To Joy” not for a single pianist, but for two pianos. Only in this way could he convincingly portray the richness of the voices, the orchestral sound, and the vocal polyphony.

It is precisely here that Liszt’s greatness as an arranger is evident. He did not want to simplify the music or reshape it for dramatic effect, but rather to transcribe Beethoven’s work onto the piano as completely as possible. The result is less a virtuoso piece than a pianistic score of the original.

With the Ninth, Beethoven not only completed his symphonic cycle but also composed one of the most influential works in music history. It shattered all previously known boundaries of a symphony.

When it premiered in 1824, Beethoven was already completely deaf. He could not hear the thunderous applause and had to be turned toward the audience by a soloist so that he could see the cheering.

Never before had a symphony featured a choir. Beethoven integrated it and had it sing of “Joy, beautiful spark of the gods,” celebrating the idea of a humanity united by freedom, brotherhood, and joy. That is precisely why the Ninth is still regarded today as a musical symbol of humanity and international understanding—and serves as the anthem of Europe.

Experience, for the first time, two grand Steinway D grand pianos in “Europe’s smartest concert hall” and this masterpiece of music history in a very special arrangement.

Su Yeon Kim, piano

Jae-Yeon Won, piano

Ludwig van Beethoven / Franz Liszt (arrangement for two pianos):

9. Symphony in D minor, Op. 125, with a closing chorus based on Friedrich Schiller’s poem “Ode to Joy”

Doors open at 3:30 pm
Start: 4:00 pm
End: 5:15 pm

Fair-Price Ticket: 44€

This price ensures that all performers are paid fairly and can make a living from their work. If you can afford it, we’d be grateful if you’d purchase this ticket.

Social-Price Ticket: 28€

Culture costs money, but it shouldn’t exclude anyone. That’s why this ticket is intended for people with limited financial means—for whatever reason.

Support-Price Ticket: 56€
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Ticket for all five events: 175€