Nikola Meeuwsen: Beethoven's Hammerklavier Sonata

Award-winning Dutch pianist Nikola Meeuwsen comes to de Doelen in Rotterdam on Thursday 12 November 2026 for a solo recital featuring Beethoven's monumental Hammerklavier Sonata. Following his historic victory at the 2025 Queen Elisabeth Competition, Meeuwsen presents a demanding programme that also includes works by Mendelssohn and Schumann.

Meeuwsen attracted international attention in 2025 when he became the first Dutch pianist to win the prestigious Queen Elisabeth Competition in Brussels. His performances have been praised for their musical clarity, technical precision and expressive depth, establishing him as one of the most promising pianists of his generation.

Beethoven, Mendelssohn and Schumann

The centrepiece of the evening is Beethoven's Piano Sonata No. 29 in B-flat major, Op. 106, better known as the Hammerklavier. Considered one of the most challenging works in the piano repertoire, the sonata demands exceptional technical control, stamina and musical understanding.

The programme also features Felix Mendelssohn's Variations sérieuses, a work exploring a single musical theme through increasingly intricate variations, and Robert Schumann's Carnaval, a colourful collection of character pieces filled with contrasting moods and musical personalities.

Together, these compositions offer an opportunity to experience the expressive range of Romantic piano music through the interpretations of a pianist whose career is rapidly gaining international recognition.

Programme

• Felix Mendelssohn: Variations sérieuses, Op. 54
• Robert Schumann: Carnaval, Op. 9
• Ludwig van Beethoven: Piano Sonata No. 29 in B-flat major, Op. 106, Hammerklavier

Tickets and practical information

Nikola Meeuwsen performs in the Jurriaanse Zaal at de Doelen, Schouwburgplein 50, Rotterdam, on Thursday 12 November 2026 at 20:15.

Regular tickets cost between €29 and €39, depending on seating category. Discounted tickets costing €16 are available for visitors aged 30 and under in selected categories. Prices include service charges.

For tickets and further information, visit the official de Doelen event page.