Explorers Series: Homage to Beethoven

Homage to Beethoven with Wu Han, pianist Arnaud Sussmann, violinist David Finckel, cellist

On December 17th, 1770, Ludwig van Beethoven was born in the German city of Bonn. In 2020 we celebrate the 250th anniversary of his birth, and next to that of Johann Sebastian Bach, there is probably not a birthday of more consequence in music’s history. Beethoven would struggle through a life and career of severe personal and professional challenges to literally change the art of music and how it was perceived and consumed by the public. Every composer who followed him did so in his mighty shadow. This concert pays tribute to his art with a two slices of his rich output for violin and piano, and for piano trio: his daunting “Kreutzer” Sonata from his “heroic” period, and his first published work, the effervescent Piano Trio in E-flat major.

LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN (1770–1827) Violin Sonata in A major, op. 47, Kreutzer (1804) Adagio sostenuto - Presto Andante con variazioni Finale: Presto

LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN Piano Trio in E-flat major, op. 1, no. 1 (1794–1795) Allegro Adagio cantabile Scherzo: Allegro assai Finale: Presto

Wu Han, piano; Arnaud Sussmann, violin; David Finckel, cello