On 23 May 2026, an extraordinary musical homecoming will unfold at the Esplanade Concert Hall. Singapore’s rising piano prodigy Mikkel Myer Lee returns to the stage for the third instalment of his ambitious Complete Beethoven Sonata Cycle — an eight-part artistic journey that will eventually see him perform all 32 piano sonatas by Ludwig van Beethoven.

For Mikkel, the concert marks more than another recital. It is a continuation of a long-term project that has taken him across international stages, and a meaningful return to the city where his remarkable musical journey first began.

Mikkel first launched the Beethoven cycle in Singapore in 2024 before bringing the project abroad, performing the first instalment in London later that year. In 2025, he continued the journey with performances in Amsterdam and Bangkok, steadily building momentum for what has become one of the most ambitious projects by a young classical pianist.

Along the way, the young virtuoso has gained growing international attention. Earlier in 2025, he made his television debut on the Dutch national programme Podium Klassiek, where he was introduced to audiences as one of classical music’s rising talents.

Yet Singapore remains central to his story. The May concert will be his only Singapore performance in 2026, offering local audiences a rare chance to witness the next chapter of his Beethoven exploration.

For this third instalment, Mikkel presents a programme that captures the evolving genius of Beethoven through four contrasting sonatas:

• Piano Sonata No. 2
• Piano Sonata No. 20
• Piano Sonata No. 26 “Les Adieux”
• Piano Sonata No. 23 “Appassionata”

Among them, the electrifying Appassionata stands out as one of Beethoven’s most technically demanding and emotionally powerful works. Widely considered one of the composer’s greatest sonatas, it has challenged and inspired generations of the world’s finest pianists.

Together with the lyrical storytelling of Les Adieux and the vibrant early energy of Sonata No. 2, the programme traces Beethoven during one of the most transformative periods of his career: bold, experimental and deeply expressive. Audiences can expect an evening that moves from radiant brilliance to dramatic intensity, revealing how Beethoven expanded the expressive possibilities of the piano.

Mikkel’s musical talent was discovered in an unusual way. Born to parents with no formal musical training, he surprised them at just six years old when they heard him playing piano pieces he had learned simply by listening online. Formal lessons followed in 2021 under renowned Belgian-American pianist Tedd Joselson, and Mikkel quickly began making waves in the classical music world.

His performances have since included sold-out recitals at the Esplanade and appearances at the Victoria Concert Hall. In 2023, he achieved a remarkable milestone by becoming the youngest pianist globally to perform both Chopin Piano Concertos No. 1 and No. 2 in a public concert.

Beyond the piano, Mikkel also nurtures a creative side through photography and painting, artistic outlets that reflect the same sensitivity and imagination found in his musical interpretations.

Supported by the Singapore Puxian (Hinghwa) Network and TungLok Group, the concert promises a deeply immersive musical experience — one where emotion, storytelling and virtuosity meet.

From the sweeping drama of Appassionata to the intimate narrative of Les Adieux, audiences can expect a powerful evening that showcases both Beethoven’s enduring genius and the remarkable artistry of one of Singapore’s brightest young musicians.

Mikkel Myer Lee performs Part 3 of the Complete Beethoven Piano Sonatas on 23rd May 2026 at the Esplanade Concert Hall. Tickets available from BookMyShow

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