Ludwig van Beethoven. Photo courtesy of CAPA
This weekend the Columbus Symphony presents Beethoven Marathon, a rare opportunity to experience four Beethoven-focused events for the price of one at the Ohio Theatre. With two full nights of Ludwig van Beethoven, this is a great opportunity to enjoy the sounds of the Columbus Symphony and learn more about the famous composer.
Along with the Chamber music performances and the orchestral concerts, this third performance of the symphony’s 2016-17 Masterworks series includes a pre-concert lecture on all things Beethoven, given both nights by WOSU’s classical host Christopher Purdy.
Beethoven displayed his musical talents at an early age, and moved to Vienna from Germany at the age of 21 to begin studying composition with Joseph Haydn. By his late 20s, his hearing began to deteriorate, and by the last decade of his life, he was almost completely deaf. Although Beethoven eventually withdrew from the public eye, some of his most-loved works came from the final 15 years he spent in private leading up to his death.
Peter Stafford Wilson conducts Beethoven Marathon, which features three standout CSO musicians: violinist Alicia Hui, cellist Luis Biava and pianist Caroline Hong. Beethoven performances featured in the marathon include “Quintet for Piano and Winds,” “Symphony No. 2,” “Concerto in C Major,” “Symphony No. 7” and “String Quartet No. 14.”
Wilson has conducted the Columbus Symphony Orchestra since 1990. He also leads the nationally-recognized Columbus Symphony Youth Orchestras program, conducting the senior orchestra, the Columbus Symphony Youth Orchestra and the Columbus All-City Orchestra.
On Nov. 11 and 12 doors open at 5:30 p.m., with the first Chamber music performance beginning at 6 p.m. and the main concert at 8 p.m. Tickets start at $10 and can be purchased at the CAPA Ticket Center, all Ticketmaster outlets and Ticketmaster.com. For a full schedule of performances in the Beethoven Marathon visit www.columbussymphony.com.
Jenny Wise is a contributing writer. Feedback welcome at gbishop@cityscenemediagroup.com.
