Bold and Bombastic Beethoven

Lethbridge Symphony Orchestra with guest John Paul Ksiazek, piano

Beethoven used a novel approach while creating the heroic Emperor Concerto; it was a time of great change for him during a war-ridden era and time to let go of old habits.  This concerto hints at the larger than life works that would herald Beethoven’s new musical style.  At the time, Vienna was under siege by Napoleon’s armies.  Beethoven wrote that there was “nothing but drums, cannons, men, and misery” around him and fled to his brother’s cellar, covering his ears with pillows to protect his fading hearing.  That sounds like ideal circumstances under which to compose, right?  No cannons will be harmed in the performance of the Emperor Concerto.

By contrast, Beethoven’s symphony #4 was a sunny, cheerful musical side trip distracting him from completing the emotionally demanding 5th symphony.  When in doubt, procrastinate!  Critics at the time praised the symphony’s “richness of ideas, bold originality, and fullness of power”.  Less often played than the ever-popular 5th and 9th symphonies, nevertheless, the fourth symphony is sublime and richly expressive.

Doors open 30 minutes before showtime.

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