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MARTIN
HELMCHEN
PIANO

„Mr. Helmchen has a noble bearing and a noble sound, shaping lines as elegant and clean as a Greek temple’s.“
THE NEW YORK TIMES

ConcertsDiscography

Biography

Martin Helmchen Piano

“Nothing disconcerts the glorious, unshowy Martin Helmchen — the kind of performer who lifts his audiences up to heaven just by penetrating inside his music with nimble fingers, questing intelligence and a beating heart.”

The Times

Martin Helmchen has established himself as one of today’s most in-demand and sought-after pianists, characterised by the originality and intensity of his interpretations, alongside his excellent tonal sensitivity and technical abilities. In 2020 he was awarded the prestigious Gramophone Music Award for his recording Ludwig van Beethoven’s complete piano concertos with the Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin under Andrew Manze, released by Alpha Classics. In the 2021/22 season Martin Helmchen is Artist-in-Residence with the Orchestre Philharmonique de Monte-Carlo.

From early on in his career Helmchen has performed with the world’s most renowned orchestras such as the Berlin and Vienna Philharmonic Orchestras, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Philharmonia Orchestra, City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, Boston Symphony Orchestra, Chicago Symphony and New York Philharmonic as well as Gewandhausorchester Leipzig, Wiener Symphoniker, Tonhalle-Orchester Zurich and Orchestre de Paris. In Scandinavia he appears regularly with the Oslo Philharmonic, Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra and Danish National Symphony Orchestra. He enjoys collaborations with conductors such as Herbert Blomstedt, Manfred Honeck, Bernhard Haitink, Jakub Hrůša, Valery Gergiev, Klaus Mäkelä, Paavo Järvi, Vladimir Jurowski, Andris Nelsons, Andrew Manze, Kazuki Yamada, Christoph von Dohnányi, Sakari Oramo, Andrés Orozco-Estrada, Michael Sanderling and David Zinman.

Chamber music has a special significance for Helmchen – a passion for which Boris Pergamenschikow provided the essential impetus. Close chamber music partners include his wife Marie-Elisabeth Hecker, Frank Peter Zimmermann, Julian Prégardien, Antje Weithaas and Carolin Widmann.

Highlights of the 2021/22 season include concerts with the Boston Symphony Orchestra, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Danish National Symphony Orchestra, Orchestre de chambre de Paris, Luzerner Sinfonieorchester, NDR Radiophilharmonie, Orchestre Philharmonique du Luxembourg, Konzerthausorchester Berlin and the Dresden Festival Orchestra. He will give recitals at the Konzerthaus Berlin, the Philharmonie Essen, the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées, the Musikverein Bamberg, the BASF Gesellschaftshaus, the Schwetzingen Festival and Monte-Carlo. With his wife Marie-Elisabeth Hecker, Martin Helmchen has commissioned a double concerto for violoncello and piano written by York Höller which they will premiere at the Ruhr Piano Festival in June 2022. Flanked by a complete recording of all sonatas for piano and violin on BIS Records, released in 2021, he will continue the great Beethoven cycle together with Frank Peter Zimmermann this season with concerts in Munich, London, Amsterdam and Prague. Duo concerts with Marie-Elisabeth Hecker are planned in Lucerne, at the Dresden Music Festival and in Genoa.

Martin Helmchen is an exclusive artist with Alpha Classics. His recording of Carl Maria von Weber’s Concert Piece with the Konzerthausorchester Berlin under Christoph Eschenbach was released in May 2021. His past releases have included Beethoven’s Diabelli Variations, Messiaen’s Vingt regards sur l’enfant-Jésus, and two albums with Marie-Elisabeth Hecker of Schubert and Brahms works. Born in Berlin in 1982 and a former student of Galina Iwanzowa, Helmchen continued his studies with Arie Vardi at the Hochschule für Musik, Theater und Medien Hannover. Other mentors include William Grant Naboré and Alfred Brendel. His career gained incredible momentum when he won the “Concours Clara Haskil” in 2001. Since 2010, Martin Helmchen has been an Associate Professor of chamber music at the Kronberg Academy.

Season 2021/2022

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Biography German

Biography English

Biography French

Press

Concerts

Tue 24.05.2022
Kammermusik: Dresden

Palais im Großen Garten Dresden, Germany

Robert Schumann: 5 Stücke im Volkston für Violoncello und Klavier op. 102
Johannes Brahms: Sonate für Violoncello und Klavier Nr. 1 e-Moll op. 38

Marie-Elisabeth Hecker

Sat 28.05.2022
Luckau

Nikolaikirche Luckau, Germany

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Klavierkonzert Nr. 16 D-Dur KV 451

Fri 10.06.2022
Dresden

Kulturpalast Dresden, Germany

Ludwig van Beethoven: Fantasie c-Moll für Klavier, Chor und Orchester op. 80 ("Chorfantasie")

Dresdner Festspielorchester

David Robertson

Dresdner Kammerchor

Mon 13.06.2022
Mülheim a. d. Ruhr

Stadthalle Mülheim, Germany

York Höller: Doppelkonzert für Violoncello, Klavier und Orchester (2022)

Kölner Kammerorchester

Christoph Poppen

Marie-Elisabeth Hecker

Sat 18.06.2022
Köln

Kölner Philharmonie, Germany

York Höller: Doppelkonzert für Violoncello, Klavier und Orchester (2022)

Kölner Kammerorchester

Christoph Poppen

Marie-Elisabeth Hecker

Thu 30.06.2022
Rezital: Papendorf

Villa Papendorf, Germany

Johannes Brahms: Sonate für Klavier und Violine Nr. 2 A-Dur op. 100
Béla Bartók: Sonate für Violine und Klavier Nr. 2 Sz 76 (1922)
**************
Johannes Brahms: Sonate Es-Dur op. 120/2 in der Fassung für für Klavier und Violine
Johannes Brahms: Sonate für Klavier und Violine Nr. 3 d-Moll op. 108

Frank Peter Zimmermann

Sat 02.07.2022
Rezital: Granada

Manuel de Falla Auditorium, Granada, Spain

Johannes Brahms: Sonate für Klavier und Violine Nr. 2 A-Dur op. 100
Béla Bartók: Sonate für Violine und Klavier Nr. 2 Sz 76 (1922)
**************
Johannes Brahms: Sonate Es-Dur op. 120/2 in der Fassung für für Klavier und Violine
Johannes Brahms: Sonate für Klavier und Violine Nr. 3 d-Moll op. 108

Frank Peter Zimmermann

Mon 04.07.2022
Rezital: Rellingen

Rellinger Kirche, Germany

Johannes Brahms: Sonate für Klavier und Violine Nr. 2 A-Dur op. 100
Béla Bartók: Sonate für Violine und Klavier Nr. 2 Sz 76 (1922)
**************
Johannes Brahms: Sonate Es-Dur op. 120/2 in der Fassung für für Klavier und Violine
Johannes Brahms: Sonate für Klavier und Violine Nr. 3 d-Moll op. 108

Frank Peter Zimmermann

Thu 07.07.2022
Bad Kissingen

Regentenbau Bad Kissingen, Germany

Johannes Brahms: Sonate für Klavier und Violine Nr. 2 A-Dur op. 100
Béla Bartók: Sonate für Violine und Klavier Nr. 2 Sz 76 (1922)
Johannes Brahms: Sonate Es-Dur op. 120/2 in der Fassung für für Klavier und Violine
Johannes Brahms: Sonate für Klavier und Violine Nr. 3 d-Moll op. 108

Frank Peter Zimmermann

Tue 26.07.2022
Chautauqua

Chautauqua Amphitheater, United States

Robert Schumann: Klavierkonzert a-Moll op. 54

Chautauqua Symphony Orchestra

Rossen Milanov

Sun 31.07.2022
Crete Sensesi

Chiesa San Francesco, Italy

Sun 07.08.2022
Monaco

Le Palais de Monaco, Monaco

Johannes Brahms: Konzert für Klavier und Orchester Nr. 1 d-Moll op. 15

Orchestre Philharmonique de Monte-Carlo

Jérémie Rhorer

Thu 18.08.2022
Kammermusik: Rostock

Hochschule für Musik und Theater Rostock, Germany

Johannes Brahms: Trio für Klavier, Violine und Horn Es-Dur op. 40

Wed 24.08.2022
Bützow

Stiftskirche, Germany

Thu 01.09.2022
Rezital: Rheingau

Schloss Johannisberg, Germany

Johannes Brahms: Sonate für Klavier und Violine Nr. 2 A-Dur op. 100
Béla Bartók: Sonate für Violine und Klavier Nr. 2 Sz 76 (1922)
**************
Johannes Brahms: Sonate Es-Dur op. 120/2 in der Fassung für für Klavier und Violine
Johannes Brahms: Sonate für Klavier und Violine Nr. 3 d-Moll op. 108

Frank Peter Zimmermann

Tue 13.09.2022
Rezital: Bern

Zentrum Paul Klee Bern, Switzerland

Johannes Brahms: Sonate für Klavier und Violine Nr. 2 A-Dur op. 100
Béla Bartók: Sonate für Violine und Klavier Nr. 2 Sz 76 (1922)
**************
Johannes Brahms: Sonate Es-Dur op. 120/2 in der Fassung für für Klavier und Violine
Johannes Brahms: Sonate für Klavier und Violine Nr. 3 d-Moll op. 108

Frank Peter Zimmermann

Fri 16.09.2022
Rezital: Las Palmas

Auditorio Alfredo Kraus, Spain

Frank Peter Zimmermann

Fri 23.09.2022
Ulrichshalben

KulturGut Ulrichshalben, Germany

Johann Sebastian Bach: Partita Nr. 1 B-Dur BWV 825
Johann Sebastian Bach: Partita Nr. 3 a-Moll BWV 827
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Johann Sebastian Bach: Partita Nr. 5 G-Dur BWV 829
Johann Sebastian Bach: Partita Nr. 2 c-Moll BWV 826
**************
Johann Sebastian Bach: Partita Nr. 4 D-Dur BWV 828
Johann Sebastian Bach: Partita Nr. 6 e-Moll BWV 830

Gallery

Martin Helmchen
Martin Helmchen
Martin Helmchen

© Giorgia Bertazzi

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Photo: Giorgia Bertazzi

Martin Helmchen
Martin Helmchen
Martin Helmchen

© Giorgia Bertazzi

Publishing of photo only with copyright:
​Photo: Giorgia Bertazzi

Martin Helmchen
Martin Helmchen
Martin Helmchen

© Marco Borggreve

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​Photo: Marco Borggreve

Marie-Elisabeth Hecker und Martin Helmchen
Marie-Elisabeth Hecker und Martin Helmchen

© Harald Hoffmann

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​Photo: Harald Hoffmann

Martin Helmchen
Martin Helmchen
Martin Helmchen

© Giorgia Bertazzi

Publishing of photo only with copyright:
​Photo: Giorgia Bertazzi

Martin Helmchen
Martin Helmchen
Martin Helmchen

©

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​Photo:

Martin Helmchen
Marie-Elisabeth Hecker und Martin Helmchen
Marie-Elisabeth Hecker und Martin Helmchen

© Harald Hoffmann

Publishing of photo only with copyright:
​Photo: Harald Hoffmann

Martin Helmchen
Martin Helmchen
Martin Helmchen

© Giorgia Bertazzi

Publishing of photo only with copyright:
​Photo: Giorgia Bertazzi

Martin Helmchen
Martin Helmchen
Martin Helmchen

© Giorgia Bertazzi

Publishing of photo only with copyright:
​Photo: Giorgia Bertazzi

Martin Helmchen
Martin Helmchen
Martin Helmchen

© Marco Borggreve

Publishing of photo only with copyright:
​Photo: Marco Borggreve

Helmchen und Hecker
Marie-Elisabeth Hecker und Martin Helmchen
Marie-Elisabeth Hecker und Martin Helmchen

© Harald Hoffmann

Publishing of photo only with copyright:
​Photo: Harald Hoffmann

Martin Helmchen
Martin Helmchen
Martin Helmchen

© Giorgia Bertazzi

Publishing of photo only with copyright:
​Photo: Giorgia Bertazzi

Video

Martin Helmchen & Orchestra

Beethoven – Concerto pour piano n°3, Premier mouvement
Martin Helmchen

Martin Helmchen Recital

Verbier Festival:
Martin Helmchen plays Liszt and Beethoven

Discography

Beethoven

The Violin Sonatas 8-10

09.2021, BIS records, CD

Weber

Ouvertüren & Konzertstück

Konzerthausorchester Berlin, Christoph Eschenbach

05.2021, Alpha, CD

Schubert

Schwanengesang D. 957
Mendelssohn

09.2021, Alpha, 2 CD

Beethoven

The Violin Sonatas 5-7

03.2021, BIS records, CD

Beethoven

Piano Concerto No 3 & Triple Concerto

Andrew Manze, Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin

10.2020, Alpha, CD

Beethoven

The Violin Sonatas 1-4

09.2020, BIS records, CD

Beethoven

Piano Concertos No. 1 & 4

Andrew Manze, Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin

06.2020, Alpha Classics, CD

Beethoven

Piano Concertos 2 & 5 “Emperor”

11.2019, Alpha, CD

Messiaen

Messiaen

Vingt Regards Sur L’Enfant Jésus

Beethoven Diabelli Variationen

Ludwig van Beethoven

Diabelli Variations in C Major, op.120

Alpha-Classics.com
Released: 2017

Schubert Arpeggione Sonata Trio No.2

Antje Weithaas, violin
Marie-Elisabeth Hecker, violoncello
Martin Helmchen, piano

Piano Trio No. 2 in E-Flat Major, Op. 100, D. 929
Arpeggione Sonata, D. 821


Alpha Classics / Outhere Music France
Released: October 2017

Beethoven Triple Concerto / Symphony No.5

Gewandhausorchester Leipzig

Isabelle Faust, violin
Jean-Guihen Queyras, cello
Martin Helmchen, piano

Ludwig von Beethoven
Concerto for Pianoforte, Violin, Violoncello and Orchestra C major op. 56 “Tripel Concerto”

Symphony No.5 C minor op.67

accentus music ACC20411
DVD Released: 2017

Johannes Brahms,
Cello Sonatas
CD Cover

Marie-Elisabeth Hecker – cello
Martin Helmchen – piano

Cello Sonata No.1 in e minor, OP.38
Cello Sonata No.2 in f major, OP.99
Alpha Classics
Released: 2016

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Klavierkonzerte Nr. 15 & 27

Netherlands Chamber Orchestra, Gordan Nikolic

Released: 19 November 2013

Robert Schumann

Symphonische Etüden Op.13/Arabesque/Waldszenen

Released: 06 November 2012

Live at Verbier Festival – DVD

Beethoven, Bach, Liszt

Released: 18 August 2012

Recherchen

Vom Suchen und Finden der Musik

Junge Deutsche Philharmonie

Released: 01 December 2011

Vincent d’ Indy,
Camille Saint- Saens,
Ernest Chausson
CD Cover

Martin Helmchen – piano
Orchestra de la Suisse Romande
Marek Janowski – conductor

Vincent d’Indy, Symphonie sur un chant montagnard français
Camille Saint- Saens, Symphony No. 2 in A minor Op. 55 (1859)
Ernest Chausson, Soir de fête 14. 42 & Symphonic poem Op. 32

PTC 5186 357
Released: 01.09.2011

Dmitri Shostakovitch

Klavierkonzerte 1+2/Klavierquintett

London Philharmonic Orchestra / Vladimir Jurowski

Released: 01 May 2011

Felix Mendelssohn
The Piano Concertos & Rondo brilliant, Op.29
CD Cover

Martin Helmchen – piano
Royal Flemish Philharmonic
Philippe Herreweghe – conductor

Piano Concerto No. 1 in G minor, Op. 25
Piano Concerto No. 2 in D minor, Op. 40
Rondo brilliant, Op.29

PTC 5186 366
Released: 01.09.2010

Franz Schubert,
Complete Works for violin and piano Vol. II
CD Cover

Julia Fischer – violin/ piano
Martin Helmchen – piano

Sonata for Violin and Piano in A, D.574 “Duo”
Fantasia in C, for Violin and Piano D.934
Fantasy in F minor, D. 940 (Op.103)

PTC 5186 348
Released: 01.04.2010

Robert Schumann,
Antonín Dvorák
CD Cover

Martin Helmchen – piano
Orchestre Philharmonique de Strasbourg
Marc Albrecht – conductor

Robert Schumann, Piano Concerto in A minor, Op.54
Antonín Dvorák Piano Concerto in G minor, Op.33

PTC 5186 333
Released: 01.10.2009

Franz Schubert,
Complete Works for violin and piano Vol. I
CD Cover

Julia Fischer – violin
Martin Helmchen – piano

Sonata (Sonatina) for Violin and Piano No.1 in D, D.384
Sonata (Sonatina) for Violin and Piano No.2 in A minor, D.385
Sonata (Sonatina) for Violin and Piano No.3 in G minor, D.408
Rondo for Violin and Piano in B minor “Rondo Brillant”, D.895

PTC 5186 347
Released: 01.08.2009

Franz Schubert,
Piano Quintet in A, D.667
“The Trout”
CD Cover

Martin Helmchen – piano
Christian Tetzlaff – violin
Antoine Tamestit – viola
Marie-Elisabeth Hecker – violoncello

Piano Quintet in A, D.667 – “The Trout”
Variations on “Trockne Blumen” for Flute and Piano, D.802
Adagio in E flat, Op. posth. 148 D.897 “Notturno”

PTC 5186 334
Released: 01.03.2009

Johannes Brahms, Sonatas & Trio
CD Cover

Sharon Kam – clarinet
Martin Helmchen – piano
Gustav Rivinius – violoncello

Sonata for clarinet and piano in f minor op. 120, No. 1
Sonata for clarinet and piano in E flat major op. 120, No. 2
Trio for piano, clarinet and violoncello in a minor op.114

Berlin Classics 0016382 BC
Released: 2009

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Piano Concertos Nos. 13 & 24

Netherlands Chamber Orchestra, Gordan Nikolic

Released: 01 August 2007

Franz Schubert

Klaviersonate d 959/6 Moments Musicaux d 780

Released: 2007

Contact

General Management

Konzertdirektion Schmid
sophia herz-grevesmühl

Sophia.Herz-Grevesmuehl@kdschmid.de
+49 (0) 30 5213 702-28

For any press enquiries, please contact:

schimmer pr
bettina schimmer

Bettina.schimmer@schimmer-pr.de
+49 (0) 221 16879 623

UK, Nordic, Australia and New Zealand

Konzertdirektion Schmid UK
Susanne büttner

Susanne.buettner@kdschmid.co.uk
+44 (0) 20 73950910

Canada, North and South America

Schmidt Artists International, Inc.
M. Patricia Handy

mph@schmidtart.com
+1 212 421 8500

France

Caroline Martin Musique
Caroline Martin

caroline.martin.musique@orange.fr
+33 02 54 30 67 83

Italy

Segretariato Artistico dell’Associazione Polesine
Leonardo e Paolo Finotti

info@leonardofinotti.it
+39 042 5600775

Japan

Novellette Artists Management

Chikako ITAGAKI

chikako.itagaki@novellette-arts.com
+81 90 4168 2866

Spain

Musiespaña
Rosa García

rgarcia@musiespana.com
+34 91 591 32 90