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 2022 he received the ICMA-Award.
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 Zürich 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, Andrew Manze, Kazuki Yamada, Vladimir Jurowski, Andris Nelsons, Christoph von Dohnányi, Jakub Hrůša, Klaus Mäkelä, Paavo Järvi, 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 2022/2023 season include concerts with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Pittsburgh Symphony, WDR Sinfonieorchester, Oslo Philharmonic, Tokyo Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra, NDR Radiophilharmonie, Orchestre Philharmonique de Monte-Carlo and the Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin, with whom Martin Helmchen will present three different projects. Recitals will take him to the Boston Celebrities Series, the Konzerthaus Dortmund, Toppan Hall Tokyo, the Thomaskirche Leipzig and the Thüringer Bachwochen, among others. With his wife Marie-Elisabeth Hecker, Martin Helmchen has commissioned a double concerto for violoncello and piano from York Höller, which they premiered at the Klavier-Festival Ruhr in June 2022 and will repeat with the Kremerata Baltica as part of the opening of the Casals Forum, as well as with the Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin at the Ultraschall Festival in the 2022/23 season. Concerts with Frank Peter Zimmermann are planned at the Rheingau Music Festival, in London, Luxembourg, Bern and Monaco.
Martin Helmchen is an exclusive artist with Alpha Classics. His most recent release was the highly acclaimed album “Novelletten und Gesänge der Frühe” with piano works by Robert Schumann in March 2022. May 2021 saw the release of his recording of Carl Maria von Weber’s Concert Piece with the Konzerthausorchester Berlin under Christoph Eschenbach. His past releases have included Beethoven’s Diabelli Variations, Messiaen’s “Vingt regards sur l’enfant-Jésus”, and a duo album with Marie-Elisabeth Hecker with works by Brahms and Schubert.
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 2022/2023
Musikgymnasium Schloss Belvedere, Germany
Johann Sebastian Bach: Partita Nr. 3 a-Moll BWV 827
Johann Sebastian Bach: Partita Nr. 4 D-Dur BWV 828
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Johann Sebastian Bach: Partita Nr. 6 e-Moll BWV 830
Palacio Euskalduna Bilbao, Spain
Johannes Brahms: Konzert für Klavier und Orchester Nr. 1 d-Moll op. 15
Bilbao Orkestra Sinfonikoa
Erik Nielsen
Palacio Euskalduna Bilbao, Spain
Johannes Brahms: Konzert für Klavier und Orchester Nr. 1 d-Moll op. 15
Bilbao Orkestra Sinfonikoa
Erik Nielsen
Orchestra Hall Symphony Center, United States
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Klavierkonzert Nr. 25 C-Dur KV 503
Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Vladimir Jurowski
Orchestra Hall Symphony Center, United States
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Klavierkonzert Nr. 25 C-Dur KV 503
Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Vladimir Jurowski
Orchestra Hall Symphony Center, United States
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Klavierkonzert Nr. 25 C-Dur KV 503
Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Vladimir Jurowski
Göteborgs Konserthus, Sweden
Robert Schumann: Klavierkonzert a-Moll op. 54
Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra
Manfred Honeck
Oslo Konserthus, Norway
Robert Schumann: Klavierkonzert a-Moll op. 54
Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra
Manfred Honeck
Stadthalle Germering, Germany
Gabriel Fauré: Elegie für Violoncello und Klavier op. 24 c-Moll
Gabriel Fauré: "Sicilienne" op. 78
Gabriel Fauré: "Papillon" op. 77
Sergej Rachmaninoff: Sonate für Violoncello und Klavier g-Moll op. 19
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Robert Schumann: Adagio und Allegro für Violoncello und Klavier As-Dur op. 70
Robert Schumann: Violinsonate Nr. 2 d-Moll op. 121 (Transkription für Cello und Klavier)
Marie-Elisabeth Hecker
Stadthalle Tuttlingen, Germany
Robert Schumann: Klavierkonzert a-Moll op. 54
Württembergische Philharmonie Reutlingen
Gregor Bühl
Stadthalle Reutlingen, Germany
Robert Schumann: Klavierkonzert a-Moll op. 54
Württembergische Philharmonie Reutlingen
Gregor Bühl
Franziskaner Konzerthaus, Germany
Robert Schumann: Klavierkonzert a-Moll op. 54
Württembergische Philharmonie Reutlingen
Gregor Bühl
Salle de Musique La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland
Ludwig van Beethoven: Sonate für Klavier und Violoncello Nr. 3 A-Dur op. 69
Gregor A. Mayrhofer: Selig, wer ohne Sinne (nach Clemens Brentano)
Franz Schubert: Auf dem Strom D 943 - Fassung für Gesang, Violoncello und Klavier
Franz Schubert: Schwanengesang D 957 - Ausgewählte Lieder
Julian Prégardien, Marie-Elisabeth Hecker
Kölner Philharmonie, Germany
Gregor A. Mayrhofer: „Einsamkeit du stummer Bronnen“ aus: "Nachklänge Beethovenscher Musik" (Text: Clemens Brentano)
Ludwig van Beethoven: Sonate für Klavier und Violoncello Nr. 3 A-Dur op. 69
Franz Schubert: Schwanengesang D 957 - Ausgewählte Lieder
Franz Schubert: Auf dem Strom D 943 - Fassung für Gesang, Violoncello und Klavier
Julian Prégardien, Marie-Elisabeth Hecker
Staatstheater Cottbus, Germany
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Klavierkonzert Nr. 22 Es-Dur KV 482
Philharmonisches Orchester des Staatstheaters Cottbus
Alexander Merzyn
Staatstheater Cottbus, Germany
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Klavierkonzert Nr. 22 Es-Dur KV 482
Philharmonisches Orchester des Staatstheaters Cottbus
Alexander Merzyn
Kulturpalast Dresden, Germany
Johannes Brahms: Konzert für Klavier und Orchester Nr. 1 d-Moll op. 15
Dresdner Festspielorchester
Ivor Bolton
Dom St. Peter und Paul zu Brandenburg a. d. Havel, Germany
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Klavierkonzert Nr. 22 Es-Dur KV 482
Philharmonisches Orchester des Staatstheaters Cottbus
Alexander Merzyn
Carl-Philipp-Emanuel-Bach-Konzerthalle, Germany
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Klavierkonzert Nr. 25 C-Dur KV 503
Richard Strauss: Burleske AV 85 d-Moll für Klavier und Orchester (1886)
Brandenburgisches Staatsorchester Frankfurt (Oder)
Jörg-Peter Weigle
Koussevitzky Music Shed, United States
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Klavierkonzert Nr. 25 C-Dur KV 503
Boston Symphony Orchestra
David Afkham
Orangerie im Hofgarten Ansbach, Germany
Johann Sebastian Bach: Sonate für Viola da gamba (Cello) und Cembalo Nr. 1 G-Dur BWV 1027
Johann Sebastian Bach: Sonate für Viola da gamba (Cello) und Cembalo Nr. 3 g-Moll BWV 1029
Johann Sebastian Bach: Suite für Violoncello solo Nr. 2 d-Moll BWV 1008
Johannes Brahms: Sonate für Violoncello und Klavier Nr. 2 F-Dur op. 99
Marie-Elisabeth Hecker
Orangerie im Hofgarten Ansbach, Germany
Johann Sebastian Bach: Sonate für Viola da gamba (Cello) und Cembalo Nr. 2 D-Dur BWV 1028
Johann Sebastian Bach: Partita Nr. 6 e-Moll BWV 830
Robert Schumann: 3 Romanzen op. 94 für Violoncello und Klavier
Igor Strawinsky: Suite italienne für Violoncello und Klavier (1932)
Marie-Elisabeth Hecker
Oberstdorf Haus, Saal Breitachklamm, Germany
Joseph Haydn: Klaviertrio G-Dur Hob. XV:25 "Zigeunertrio"
Dmitrij Schostakowitsch: Klaviertrio Nr. 1 in C op. 8 (1923)
Antonin Dvořák: Klaviertrio Nr. 4 e-Moll op. 90 "Dumky Trio" (1891)
Marie-Elisabeth Hecker, Antje Weithaas
Stavanger Konzerthus, Norway
Ludwig van Beethoven: Klavierkonzert Nr. 4 G-Dur op. 58
Stavanger Symphony Orchestra
Andris Poga
© Giorgia Bertazzi
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Photo: Giorgia Bertazzi
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© Harald Hoffmann
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Photo: Harald Hoffmann
© Giorgia Bertazzi
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Photo: Giorgia Bertazzi
© Giorgia Bertazzi
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Photo: Giorgia Bertazzi
© Marco Borggreve
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Photo: Marco Borggreve
© Harald Hoffmann
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Photo: Harald Hoffmann
© Giorgia Bertazzi
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Photo: Giorgia Bertazzi
Beethoven – Concerto pour piano n°3, Premier mouvement
Martin Helmchen
Verbier Festival:
Martin Helmchen plays Liszt and Beethoven
R. Schumann, Acht Novelletten, op. 21
C. Schumann, Soirées musicales, op. 6
R. Schumann, Gesänge der Frühe, op. 133
04.2022, Alpha, CD
The Violin Sonatas 8-10
09.2021, BIS records, CD
Schwanengesang D. 957
Mendelssohn
09.2021, Alpha, 2 CD
Ouvertüren & Konzertstück
Konzerthausorchester Berlin, Christoph Eschenbach
05.2021, Alpha, CD
The Violin Sonatas 5-7
03.2021, BIS records, CD
Piano Concerto No 3 & Triple Concerto
Andrew Manze, Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin
10.2020, Alpha, CD
The Violin Sonatas 1-4
09.2020, BIS records, CD
Piano Concertos No. 1 & 4
Andrew Manze, Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin
06.2020, Alpha Classics, CD
Piano Concertos 2 & 5 “Emperor”
11.2019, Alpha, CD
Messiaen
Vingt Regards Sur L’Enfant Jésus
Ludwig van Beethoven
Diabelli Variations in C Major, op.120
Alpha-Classics.com
Released: 2017
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
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
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
Netherlands Chamber Orchestra, Gordan Nikolic
Released: 19 November 2013
Symphonische Etüden Op.13/Arabesque/Waldszenen
Released: 06 November 2012
Beethoven, Bach, Liszt
Released: 18 August 2012
Vom Suchen und Finden der Musik
Junge Deutsche Philharmonie
Released: 01 December 2011
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
Klavierkonzerte 1+2/Klavierquintett
London Philharmonic Orchestra / Vladimir Jurowski
Released: 01 May 2011
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
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
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
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
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
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
Piano Concertos Nos. 13 & 24
Netherlands Chamber Orchestra, Gordan Nikolic
Released: 01 August 2007
Klaviersonate d 959/6 Moments Musicaux d 780
Released: 2007
Konzertdirektion Schmid
sophia herz-grevesmühl
Sophia.Herz-Grevesmuehl@kdschmid.de
+49 (0) 30 5213 702-28
schimmer pr
bettina schimmer
Bettina.schimmer@schimmer-pr.de
+49 (0) 221 16879 623
Konzertdirektion Schmid UK
Susanne büttner
Susanne.buettner@kdschmid.co.uk
+44 (0) 20 73950910
Schmidt Artists International, Inc.
M. Patricia Handy
mph@schmidtart.com
+1 212 421 8500
Caroline Martin Musique
Caroline Martin
caroline.martin.musique@orange.fr
+33 06 81 07 92 37
Segretariato Artistico dell’Associazione Polesine
Leonardo e Paolo Finotti
info@leonardofinotti.it
+39 042 5600775
Novellette Artists Management
Chikako ITAGAKI
chikako.itagaki@novellette-arts.com
+81 90 4168 2866
Musiespaña
Rosa García
rgarcia@musiespana.com
+34 91 591 32 90