Beethoven's smile

Beethoven dedicated this work to his old friend and patron Count Ferdinand von Waldstein. Their friendship started in Bonn: the composer received his first piano from Waldstein, the count also encouraged Beethoven to improvize, through him the artist discovered the works of Haydn and Mozart, and when he moved to Vienna, Waldstein introduced him to his fellow aristocratic patrons of the arts. The work is interpreted by pianist József Balog, who started studying music aged just four, in 2001 he took a teaching diploma from the Teacher Training Institute of the Liszt Ferenc Academy of Music, then in 2004 he graduated from the university’s Piano Department. He has won or been a medallist at several international competitions, he has made numerous radio and TV recordings, and performed in concert abroad. In recognition of his distinguished performance activities, he was awarded the Liszt Prize in 2018.