Martin Stadtfeld already knew that he wanted to become a concert pianist when he was seven years old. Studies with the famous piano pedagogue Lev Natochenny and a First Prize at the International Bach Competition in Leipzig were two important milestones in his career. Today Martin Stadtfeld is regarded as one of the leading performers of his generation: he is not only a highly respected Bach expert, but also well at home in the music of the Classic and Romantic eras. His recital programme in Herne is entirely devoted to this year’s main Festival theme. As Stadtfeld says, “with Beethoven we are dealing with a character with profound emotions; someone who bared his soul in his music and produced a work of art. That blending of individual emotion and musical structure is what makes a true masterpiece.” With his own fantasia on a theme from Beethoven’s sketchbook, Martin Stadtfeld pays a personal homage to the composer, before letting us hear special gems from Beethoven’s sonata output with the Appassionata along with op. 111, the very last work he wrote in the genre.