Beethoven. Martinů

At the previous concert, we presented compositions by Bach and Mozart, whose works are considered pillars of classical music. So it is time to add the third pillar to our concert season, the music by Ludwig van Beethoven.

The concert program is designed with a view to Beethoven’s interest in political and social events. He wrote Symphony No. 3 in E flat major excited about the ideas of Napoleon Bonaparte. However, after this politician declared himself Emperor, the indignant Beethoven withdrew his original dedication of the symphony to him. That is why it is known today under the title “Eroica” and why the E flat major key is still considered the heroic key.

Equally interesting is the history of the Egmont overture. Beethoven wrote it as part of the music for Goethe’s eponymous tragedy about a Dutch freedom fighter, and it is so powerful that it became an unofficial anthem during the bloody Hungarian Revolution in 1956. Between two compositions by Beethoven, Bohuslav Martinů’s Piano Concerto No. 3 will be heard. However, Martinů’s concerto is not such a departure from Beethoven: it is believed to have the characteristics of Brahms’s style, who organically follows from Beethoven.

The concert will be performed by the outstanding Finnish pianist, conductor and composer Olli Mustonen, and conducted by Marcelo Lehninger, Music Director of the Grand Rapids Symphony in the State of Michigan.