“Complete Beethoven”
The Cello Sonatas and Variations
Li-Wei Qin × Albert Tiu
Beijing Concert Hall · October 25–26, 2022
Shanghai Concert Hall · October 30–31, 2022
Overview
Internationally acclaimed cellist Li-Wei Qin and pianist Albert Tiu will present the complete works for cello and piano by Ludwig van Beethoven — performed over two consecutive evenings in both Beijing and Shanghai.
Titled “Complete Beethoven”, the cycle features all five cello sonatas and three sets of variations, tracing Beethoven’s creative journey from youthful brilliance to philosophical depth. Through this project, Li-Wei Qin offers audiences an immersive experience of Beethoven’s evolving voice — from Classical grace to Romantic power, from lyricism to transcendence.
“To perform Beethoven’s complete cello works within two nights is not only a musical challenge but also an emotional pilgrimage — a journey through the human soul, mirrored in sound.”
Li-Wei Qin
Program
【Beethoven Cycle I】
Beijing Concert Hall · Oct 25
Shanghai Concert Hall · Oct 30
Ludwig van Beethoven (1770–1827)
Cello Sonata No.1 in F Major, Op.5 No.1
Cello Sonata No.4 in C Major, Op.102 No.1
— Intermission —
Twelve Variations on “Ein Mädchen oder Weibchen” from Mozart’s “The Magic Flute”, Op.66
Cello Sonata No.3 in A Major, Op.69
【Beethoven Cycle II】
Beijing Concert Hall · Oct 26
Shanghai Concert Hall · Oct 31
Ludwig van Beethoven (1770–1827)
Twelve Variations on “See, the Conquering Hero Comes” from Handel’s “Judas Maccabaeus”, WoO.45
Cello Sonata No.2 in G Minor, Op.5 No.2
— Intermission —
Seven Variations on “Bei Männern, welche Liebe fühlen” from Mozart’s “The Magic Flute”, WoO.46
Cello Sonata No.5 in D Major, Op.102 No.2
About the project
Beethoven’s complete works for cello and piano comprise eight compositions — five sonatas and three sets of variations — representing a lifetime of creative evolution.
The early sonatas (Op.5 Nos.1 & 2) were written in Beethoven’s twenties, when the influence of Haydn and Mozart still lingered. Their elegant phrasing and dramatic dialogues mark the emergence of Beethoven’s distinctive musical language.
The middle-period Sonata in A Major, Op.69, composed in 1808 between the Fifth and Sixth Symphonies, radiates heroic passion and lyrical warmth — a true masterpiece of chamber music.
The late sonatas, Op.102 Nos.1 & 2, written in Beethoven’s fifties, embody structural innovation and emotional profundity, merging intellect and expression with transcendental mastery.
The variations on themes from Mozart and Handel showcase Beethoven’s wit and ingenuity, transforming familiar melodies into miniature dramas of invention.
In this “Complete Beethoven” series, Li-Wei Qin curates an inspired sequence — juxtaposing early, middle, and late works to reveal Beethoven’s creative arc: elegance, introspection, and fervour in the first recital; youth, depth, and the transition between Classicism and Romanticism in the second.
Such a comprehensive and thoughtfully structured presentation is rarely undertaken in China, offering listeners a unique opportunity to experience Beethoven’s entire world of sound within four evenings.
Artists
Li-Wei Qin — Cello
A laureate of the Tchaikovsky and Naumburg Competitions, Li-Wei Qin has performed with leading orchestras including the London Symphony, BBC Symphony, and Singapore Symphony, and records for Decca and Sony Classical. His artistry combines commanding technique with emotional depth, bringing both intellectual clarity and poetic warmth to the stage.
Albert Tiu — Piano
Singapore-based pianist Albert Tiu is internationally renowned for his nuanced touch and stylistic versatility. A graduate of the Juilliard School, Tiu has collaborated with major orchestras and chamber partners worldwide, and serves as Professor of Piano at the Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music. His recordings of Beethoven, Scriabin, and Schumann have been widely acclaimed.
Presented by:
MAJOR Performing Arts Group × Beijing Concert Hall × Shanghai Concert Hall