Four Hands for Mendelssohn | Lucas & Arthur Jussen

25 JAN 2026: The music film accompanies the brothers as they follow in the footsteps of the Mendelssohn siblings and their Concerto for Two Pianos in E major.

They are probably the most famous piano duo in the world – and certainly thrilling: Dutch brothers Lucas & Arthur Jussen exude boundless energy, and you can tell how much fun they have on stage. The music film accompanies the ‘classical boy band’ as they follow in the footsteps of the Mendelssohn siblings: the focus is on the rousing Concerto for Two Pianos and Orchestra in E major, recorded at the Konzerthaus Dortmund. Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy composed it at the age of only 14 for his sister Fanny's birthday.

The journey begins in Leipzig, where Mendelssohn held the position of Gewandhauskapellmeister for twelve years and died in 1874. This is where the rehearsals with the Gewandhaus Orchestra take place under the baton of Andris Nelsons, a Mendelssohn successor at the helm of the Leipzig orchestra: only 13 Kapellmeisters separate the two musicians. The camera accompanies Lucas & Arthur Jussen during their preparations and rehearsals, as they search for traces of Mendelssohn in his house and play football. The film gets very close to the brothers as they talk about challenging moments in music and in life, about trust and discipline, and about the relationship between siblings who are musicians and have been closely connected both professionally and privately throughout their lives.

Duration 43 min / 52 min
Director Claus Wischmann
Producer Mona Bard
Co-Producer Martin Bürkl
Production Company sounding images, WDR/ARTE