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Music in Surrey Diary log

Music on Thursdays - Online

Thursday 24th September 2020


Beethoven 250

Guest Host: Peter Horsfield, Chair of the Society

Artistes: Ensemble Symphonique Neuchâtel, Alexander Mayer, conductor
Nashville Symphony  ♦  Daniel Barenboim, piano  ♦  Valentina Lisitsa, piano
Fritz Wunderlich, tenor • Hubert Giesen, piano ♦ kpunkt klaviermusik of Germany

Anna Samuil, soprano • Waltraud Meier, mezzo-soprano • Michael König, tenor • René Pape, bass
National Youth Choir of Great Britain
West-Eastern Divan Orchestra • Michael Barenboim, leader • Daniel Barenboim, conductor

Detroit Symphony Orchestra, Leonard Slatkin, conductor


Starts: when you are ready
latecomers will be admitted at your personal discretion

Listening position:

Relax with your choice(s) of beverage, in a place of your choosing, alone, or with company
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Beethoven 250


Programme

Ludwig van Beethoven

baptised 17 December 1770 – 26 March 1827


from Symphony No 3 in Eb 'Eroica' Op 55 (1803)
    IV Finale allegro molto    very fast and bright

performed by the Ensemble Symphonique Neuchâtel
Alexander Mayer, conductor



from Symphony No 6 in F 'Pastoral' Op 68 (1808)
    V Finale. Hirtengesang. Frohe und dankbare Gefühle nach dem Sturm    allegretto
        Shepherd's song. Cheerful and thankful feelings after the storm    fairly brisk

performed in lockdown by members of the Nashville Symphony


from Piano Sonata No 10 in G Op 14 No 2 (1798-1799)

    I Allegro    bright and fast

performed by Daniel Barenboim


from Piano Sonata No 14 in C# minor 'Moonlight'
Op 27 No 2
(1801)

III Presto agitato    very fast, excited

performed by Valentina Lisitsa



Resignation WoO 149 (1817)

performed in 1966 by Fritz Wunderlich, tenor
with Hubert Giesen, piano



Bagatelle in F minor (October 1826)

performed by kpunkt klaviermusik of Germany



from Symphony No 9 in D minor 'Choral' Op 125 (1822-24)
IV Finale    Jasmine Flower


performed by Anna Samuil, soprano • Waltraud Meier, mezzo-soprano
Michael König, tenor • René Pape, bass
National Youth Choir of Great Britain
West-Eastern Divan Orchestra, Michael Barenboim, leader
Daniel Barenboim, conductor



ENCORE

from Violin Concerto in D  Op 61  (1806)
III Rondo. Allegro.

performed by Hilary Hahn
Detroit Symphony Orchestra, Leonard Slatkin, conductorr



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Had we been able to put on live concerts this year, I am sure some of our musicians would have chosen works in celebration of the 250th anniversary of the birth of Ludwig van Beethoven. I was very pleased to hear, at our July Trustees' Meeting, Peter Horsfield suggesting he might come up with a suitable selection to mark the year.

I hope you too will enjoy this thoughtfully devised Beethoven programme, put together by the Chair of LCAS, Peter Horsfield.    [Peter S]
In my early teens, when I was studying music at school, I used to consider Beethoven my favourite composer. Several decades later, despite having enlarged my musical repertoire, and become familiar with an enormously diverse range of composers and musical styles, I still rate him at the top of my favourites list.

The range of emotions which his music explores is phenomenal, and despite the suffering he endured during his troubled life (or perhaps because of it), he accesses at times the most profound joy and spiritual awareness.

It is, of course, a nearly impossible task to choose a representative selection of his music to fit into a (virtual) concert with a limited time allowance; but here are a few examples, most of which have a personal connection of some sort.



Symphony number 3 in Eb was a work which initially didn’t make much impression on me. I found it rather heavy going and long-winded – but it was not long before I began to like it more and more. It definitely grew on me. (This was in the early 1960’s, the era of LP records, when 33 rpm had just taken over from 78 rpm, but the discs still needed to be turned over frequently.)

It was written in the era of the rise of Napoleon, and the final movement triumphantly expresses feelings of revolutionary freedom. (Beethoven was so angry when he realised that Napoleon was becoming as corrupt a tyrant as his forerunners, that he struck the name off the title page.)
Ludwig van Beethoven (baptised 17 December 1770 – 26 March 1827)    (12m17)
from Symphony No 3 in Eb 'Eroica' Op 55(1803)
IV Finale allegro molto    very fast and bright

performed by the Ensemble Symphonique Neuchâtel, Alexander Mayer, conductor, at the Temple du Bas, Neuchâtel, Sswitzerland

Temple du Bas, Neuchâtel, Switzerland, intérieur,
Temple du Bas, Neuchâtel, Switzerland


The Pastoral symphony was another early favourite.

The peaceful final movement is a serene thanksgiving, the calm after the storm.

This virtual version was recorded during the current pandemic lockdown.
from Symphony No 6 in F 'Pastoral' Op 68 (1808)    (5m52)
V Finale. Hirtengesang. Frohe und dankbare Gefühle nach dem Sturm    allegretto
Shepherd's song. Cheerful and thankful feelings after the storm    fairly brisk

performed in lockdown by members of the Nashville Symphony

This movement from the piano sonata no 10 was one of my set pieces for my Grade 7 exam, and was one which I particularly enjoyed playing. It would take a lot of work nowadays to recover that standard of technical expertise!

Here is a performance by a man who really understands Beethoven, Daniel Barenboim:
from Piano Sonata No 10 in G Op 14 No 2 (1798-1799)    (7m11)
I Allegro    bright and fast

performed by Daniel Barenboim


Another of my favourite piano sonatas was the “Moonlight”, and the passionate final movement is one which I would have loved to have been able to master at full speed. 

On the left we have the final movement. If you have the time, on the right you will find the entire sonata, both recorded by Valentina Lisitsa:
from Piano Sonata No 14 in C# minor 'Moonlight'
Op 27 No 2
(1801)
   (6m48)
III Presto agitato    very fast, excited

performed by Valentina Lisitsa

Piano Sonata No 14 in C# minor 'Moonlight'
Op 27 No 2 (1801)
I   Adagio sostenuto    slow and sustained
   (14m31)
II  Allegretto    fairly brisk
III Presto agitato
    very fast, excited

performed by Valentina Lisitsa


The recent television series “Being Beethoven” alerted me to this simple and poignant song. It was written at the time of the Heiligenstadt Testament, a crisis point when Beethoven was coming to terms with his increasing deafness and consequent feelings of despair.


[The Heiligenstadt Testament is a letter Beethoven wrote to his brothers describing his increasing deafness, his despair, even his contemplation of suicide. It sits now in a Hamburg museum, donated by the Swedish singer Jenny Lind.]

Resignation  WoO 149,  G252 (1817)    (2m26)
text by Paul, Graf von Haugwitz (1791-1856)

performed in 1966 by Fritz Wunderlich, tenor
with Hubert Giesen, piano

Resignation

Lisch aus, mein Licht!
Was dir gebricht,
Das ist nun fort,
an diesem Ort
Kannst du's nicht wieder finden!
Du mußt nun los dich binden.

Sonst hast du lustig aufgebrannt,
Nun hat man dir die Luft entwandt;
Wenn diese fort gewehet,
die Flamme irregehet,
Sucht, findet nicht;
lisch aus, mein Licht!

Paul, Graf von Haugwitz (1791-1856)

Resignation


Go out, my light!
What you lack
Is now gone;
In this place,
You will never find it again.
You must now break your bonds!

Once you burnt cheerily,
Now they've stolen away your air;
When that is gone
The flame sputters;
Seeks, but finds it not;
Go out, my light!

In 2008, while working on manuscripts in the Berlin State Library, Australian musicologist Peter McCallum found what is now believed to be Beethoven's final piano composition. It took a while to work out what he was seeing because Beethoven used an idiosyncratic shorthand, and rarely troubled himself with clefs or key signatures.

The 'Kullak sketchbook' contains workings for works eventually written out fully. Among sketches for the String Quartet Op 135 he found this Bagatelle in F minor.

If you are going to learn the work, one piece of advice offered is to practise the thirds 'in a very slow tempo'.

Here are two quite different interpretations of the Bagatelle. Which do you feel Beethoven would have preferred? My choice is the more reflective performance which aligns more with what we know of Beethoven's general mood in his final months.
Bagatelle in F minor (October 1826)     (0m55)

performed by kpunkt klaviermusik of Germany

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Bagatelle in F minor (October 1826)     (1m48)

performed by Paul Barton

Article about this

The famous Ninth Symphony, where the voices join the orchestra in the final movement “Ode to Joy”, seems a fitting finale to any selection of Beethoven’s music.

Here the feeling of the universal brotherhood of man, and the transcending over-suffering of unfettered Joy is expressed; where Beethoven found that the instruments on their own could not transmit this magnitude without the final choral blend.

This recording brings together two extremely worthy institutions, firstly the National Youth Choir of Great Britain, and then, with Daniel Barenboim, the man who masterminded their entire project, the West-Eastern Divan Orchestra.
from Symphony No 9 in D minor 'Choral' Op 125 (1822-24)
IV Finale    Jasmine Flower
    (25m00 of 29m53 - it's all applause after the 25m00!)

performed by

Anna Samuil, soprano
Waltraud Meier, mezzo-soprano
Michael König, tenor
René Pape, bass
National Youth Choir of Great Britain
West-Eastern Divan Orchestra
Michael Barenboim, leader
Daniel Barenboim, conductor
at BBC Prom 18 of the 2012 Season, 27 July 2012
O Freunde, nicht diese Töne!
Sondern laßt uns angenehmere anstimmen,
und freudenvollere.

Freude!
Freude!

Freude, schöner Götterfunken
Tochter aus Elysium,
Wir betreten feuertrunken,
Himmlische, dein Heiligtum!
Deine Zauber binden wieder
Was die Mode streng geteilt;
Alle Menschen werden Brüder,
Wo dein sanfter Flügel weilt.

Wem der große Wurf gelungen,
Eines Freundes Freund zu sein;
Wer ein holdes Weib errungen,
Mische seinen Jubel ein!
Ja, wer auch nur eine Seele
Sein nennt auf dem Erdenrund!
Und wer's nie gekonnt, der stehle
Weinend sich aus diesem Bund!

Freude trinken alle Wesen
An den Brüsten der Natur;
Alle Guten, alle Bösen
Folgen ihrer Rosenspur.
Küsse gab sie uns und Reben,
Einen Freund, geprüft im Tod;
Wollust ward dem Wurm gegeben,
Und der Cherub steht vor Gott.

Froh, wie seine Sonnen fliegen
Durch des Himmels prächt'gen Plan,
Laufet, Brüder, eure Bahn,
Freudig, wie ein Held zum Siegen.

Seid umschlungen, Millionen!
Diesen Kuß der ganzen Welt!
Brüder, über'm Sternenzelt
Muß ein lieber Vater wohnen.

Ihr stürzt nieder, Millionen?
Ahnest du den Schöpfer, Welt?
Such' ihn über'm Sternenzelt!
Über Sternen muß er wohnen.

Johan Christoph Friedrich von Schiller
    (1759-1805)
Oh friends, not these sounds!
Let us instead strike up more pleasing
and more joyful ones!

Joy!
Joy!
 
Joy, beautiful spark of divinity,
Daughter from Elysium,
We enter, burning with fervour,
heavenly being, your sanctuary!
Your magic brings together
what custom has sternly divided.
All men shall become brothers,
wherever your gentle wings hover.

Whoever has been lucky enough
to become a friend to a friend,
Whoever has found a beloved wife,
let him join our songs of praise!
Yes, and anyone who can call one soul
his own on this earth!
Any who cannot, let them slink away
from this gathering in tears!

Every creature drinks in joy
at nature's breast;
Good and Evil alike
follow her trail of roses.
She gives us kisses and wine,
a true friend, even in death;
Even the worm was given desire,
and the cherub stands before God.

Gladly, just as His suns hurtle
through the glorious universe,
So you, brothers, should run your course,
joyfully, like a conquering hero.

Be embraced, you millions!
This kiss is for the whole world!
Brothers, above the canopy of stars
must dwell a loving father.

Do you bow down before Him, you millions?
Do you sense your Creator, O world?
Seek Him above the canopy of stars!
He must dwell beyond the stars.

Encore

If there is time to listen to an encore, (and you have got your breath back) I would like to recommend the violin concerto, particularly the final movement, which is again wonderfully uplifting and joyful.
from Violin Concerto in D  Op 61  (1806)
III Rondo. Allegro.    (8m50)

performed by Hilary Hahn, with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, Leonard Slatkin, conductor

Presenter: Peter Horsfield
Series Editor: Peter Steadman
Assisted by: Richard Miller & Jane Forrester



We hope you have enjoyed your Beethoven 250  Concert Online


Next week's concert will start at 12.30 lunchtime (probably, precisely)

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Yes, we open our series of 5 'as live' concerts with


pianist Eddie Lee's Jazz on Thursday



click on one of the tabs below to find out more about Eddie's or

any of the 5 Arts e-Live Concerts we are hosting in this exceptional year

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Eddie Lee
Eddie Lee, piano, Jazz on Thursday, 1st October 2020,

Oct 1st

Eddie Lee's
Jazz on Thursday

Diphonon Duo
Diphonon Duo, Michael Iskas, viola, Iñigo Mikeleiz Berrade, accordion, 8th October 2020,

Oct 8th

Diphonon viola & accordion Duo

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Marion Bettsworth
Marion Bettsworth, organist, St Michael's, Highgate, London, N6, 15th October 2020,

Oct 15th

organist
Marion
Bettsworth

CarmenCo
CarmenCo, Emily Andrews, flute, voice, Francisco Correa, David Massey, guitar, 22nd October 2020,

Oct 22nd

Carmenco
flute, voice & 2 guitars

Harmonica & Piano
Phil Hopkins, chromatic harmonica, Stuart Whatton, piano, 29th October 2020,

Oct 29th

Phil Hopkins
chromatic harmonica
Stuart Whatton
piano

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comments welcome:  musiconthursdays@gmail.com
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Concert Selections still available on this Website:


Please click on a title to go to the concert webpage

• Marina Kan's AGM Piano Concert

• Concert for St George's Day and Shakespeare's Birthday
1 May 2020 Music on May Day Online
• Music on MayDay

• Music for VE Day 75th Anniversary

• Piano à Deux - Linda Ang Stoodley & Robert Stoodley, 4 hands on 1 piano

• Clocks & Cathedrals (musical clocks, that is)

• Guitars & Friends - a guitar medley

• Beethoven & Haydn String Quartets

• Cello Tango - from solos to multi cellists

• Organs of Paris  ♥ Les Orgues de Paris

• Flute Fest

• Virtual Viola, hosted by Lynda Chang

• Multi Piano - pianos from two to 12 at a time

• From Sackbutt to Trombone

• Harp Haven - our President's 100th Birthday Concert

• Oboe Omnibus

• Gentle Guitar

• Music for Unusual Instruments

• Viola da Gamba, hosted by Ibrahim Aziz

• Music & the Military

• Choral Music

• Clarinet Compilation, hosted by Lynda Chang

• The Voice, hosted by Lynda Chang


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Please note: LCAS cannot be held responsible for any inaccuracies in or amendments to the information on this website.
Please check with the event organiser before you commit to any expenditure
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  • Welcome
  • Leatherhead's Lunchtime Concert Diary 2021
    • 25 Feb 2021 Music on Thursdays Online: Thomas Ang, piano
    • 4 March 2021 Music on Thursdays Online: Vivaldi
    • 11 March 2021 Music on Thursdays Online: Saint-Saëns Centenary
    • 18 March 2021 Music on Thursdays Online: Music for the Lute
    • 25 March 2021 Music on Thursdays Online: Musicals: 1960 to 1990
    • 1 April 2021 Music on Thursdays Online: Ibrahim Aziz, viols,
    • 8 April 2021 Music on Thursdays Online: Royal Wedding Music
    • 15 April 2021 Music on Thursdays Online: Albinoni 350
    • Newsletter Request
  • Surrey Music Diary
  • LCAS Charity
  • Artistes
  • Composers
  • Archive & Unpublished
    • 2020 Archive >
      • Leatherhead's Lunchtime Concert Diary 2020
      • 27 Feb 2020 3pm Marina Kan piano
      • 23 Apr 2020 Concert for St George's Day
      • 1 May 2020 Music on May Day Online
      • 8 May 2020 Music for VE Day 75th Online
      • 14 May 2020 Piano à Deux Online
      • 20 May 2020 Wednesday at the Organ: Clocks Cathedrals
      • 28 May 2020 Music on Thursdays Guitars & Friends
      • 4 June 2020 Music on Thursdays Online: String Quartets
      • 11 June 2020 Music on Thursdays Online: Cello Tango
      • 18 June 2020 Music on Thursdays Organs of Paris Online
      • 25 June 2020 Music on Thursdays Flute Fest Online
      • 2 July 2020 Music on Thursdays Online: Virtual Viola
      • 9 July 2020 Music on Thursdays Online: Multi Piano
      • 16 July 2020 Music on Thursdays Online: Sackbutt to Trombone
      • 23 July 2020 Music on Thursdays Online: Harp Haven
      • 30 July 2020 Music on Thursdays Online: Oboe Omnibus
      • 6 Aug 2020 Music on Thursdays Online: Gentle Guitar
      • 13 Aug 2020 Music on Thursdays Online: Unusual Instruments
      • 20 Aug 2020 Music on Thursdays Online: Viola da Gamba
      • 27 Aug 2020 Music on Thursdays Online: Music & the Military
      • 3 Sep 2020 Music on Thursdays Online: Choral Music
      • 10 Sep 2020 Music on Thursdays Online: Clarinet Compilation
      • 17 Sep 2020 Music on Thursdays Online: The Voice
      • 24 Sep 2020 Music on Thursdays Online: Beethoven 250
      • 1 Oct 2020 Music on Thursdays Online: Eddie Lee's Jazz on Thursday
      • 8 Oct 2020 Music on Thursdays Online: Diphonon Viola & Accordion Duo
      • 15 Oct 2020 Music on Thursdays Online: Marion Bettsworth, organ
      • 22 Oct 2020 Music on Thursdays Online: CarmenCo - telling Carmen's story
      • 29 Oct 2020 Music on Thursdays Online: Phil Hopkins, classical harmonica
      • 5 Nov 2020 Music on Thursdays Online: Musical Fireworks
      • 12 Nov 2020 Music on Thursdays Online: Music of the Musicals
      • 18 Nov 2020 FINAL Wednesday at Christ Church Live Organ Concert - Mark Brafield
      • 17 Dec 2020 Music on Thursdays Online: Carols with CarmenCo
    • Christ Church Leatherhead
    • 2013 Anthony Cairns Concerts
    • 2012 Anthony Cairns Concerts
    • HGS1965
    • UNU Music on Thursdays Online:
    • 22 April 2021 Music on Thursdays Online: Yehudi Menuhin 105th
    • Bitsa
    • W-I-P