Beethoven's Complete Works for Piano: Part XI
Is Beethoven’s music great? How do we know? Piano department chair Bruce Brubaker encourages curious concertgoers to celebrate and reconsider Beethoven’s music and legacy.
75 NEC pianists present every work for piano that Beethoven ever wrote over the course of 13 recitals in spring and fall 2020. Hear well-known favorites like the “Moonlight” Sonata alongside rarely-performed works and decide for yourself: what does Beethoven mean today?
A virtuoso pianist himself, Beethoven composed dozens of works for the fortepiano, often making use of the new musical resources of the instrument as it developed rapidly throughout the composer’s lifetime. Approximately 1/3 of each concert program will feature rarely performed sets of variations that may offer insight into Beethoven’s own performances as an improviser.
The NEC Piano Department dedicates this Beethoven 2020 project to Distinguished Artist-in-Residence Russell Sherman who celebrates his ninetieth birthday in 2020. Mr. Sherman was the first American musician to record all of Beethoven’s piano sonatas and concertos. He has been a member of the New England Conservatory faculty since 1967.
WATCH CONCERT STREAM:
Beethoven's Complete Works for Piano:
PROGRAM ELEVEN
Sonata No. 27 in e Minor, op. 90 (1814)
I. Mit Lebhaftigkeit und durchaus mit Empfindung und Ausdruck
II. Nicht zu geschwind und sehr singbar vorgetragenArtists- Feiyi Liao, piano
Twelve variations on the "Menuet a la Vigano" from Jakob Haibel's ballet "La nozza disturbate", WoO 68 (1795-96)
I. Allegro
II. Menuetto: Sostenuto
III. Scherzando: Allegretto, ma non troppoArtists- Xu Guo, piano
Sonata No. 22 in F Major, op. 54 (1804)
I. In tempo d'un Menuetto
II. AllegrettoArtists- Shalun Li, piano
Eight variations on "Tändeln und Scherzen" from Franz Xaver Süssmayr's opera Soliman II, WoO 76 (1799)
Artists- Wanjoong Kim, piano
Prelude in F Minor, WoO 55 (1803)
Artists- Shawn Xiangyun Lian, piano
Sonata No. 23 in F Minor ("Appassionata"), op. 57 (1805)
I. Allegro assai
II. Andante con moto
III. Allegro ma non troppo - PrestoArtists- Yike Tony Yang, piano