Robert Levin ’68 served as a last minute replacement for pianist Alfred Brendel with the Boston Symphony Orchestra (BSO) this weekend after Brendel was rendered unable to perform due to an arm injury.

Levin, Robinson professor of the humanities and head tutor of the music department, received a call early Saturday morning from Symphony Hall asking him to perform the same day.

“I was called at 10:10 a.m. by Tony Fogg, the artistic manager, who asked me if I could play Beethoven’s fourth [concerto] that night,” Levin said. “He said there was a rehearsal at 10:30 a.m. I said I could, I’d drive to Symphony Hall immediately.”

After the orchestral rehearsal, Levin spent the afternoon practicing on Brendel’s piano.

“One must adjust to every piano,” he said. “The Hamburg [Steinway] Mr. Brendel selected is a fine instrument, and I am enjoying playing on it.”

Brendel, 70, one of the world’s foremost Beethoven specialists, was in town for six concerts with the BSO and conductor Seiji Ozawa, featuring all five Beethoven piano concertos. After feeling pain in his arm, he cancelled the concerts scheduled for Saturday and last night and flew back to Munich to meet with his physician.

“We’re awaiting a response from his doctor about whether or not he’ll be able to return [this Friday],” said Sean Kerrigan, associate director of media relations for the BSO.

In the meantime, Levin—who was already playing Mozart’s 21st piano concerto with the Handel and Haydn society at Symphony Hall Friday and Sunday—filled in, and performed to an enthusiastic crowd.