No classical composer has left a vast, influential body of work or a legacy quite like Ludwig van Beethoven. He took the popular music of his times — symphonies, string quartets, piano sonatas and opera — and pushed them to their breaking points.
By exploring and reshaping new musical forms, Beethoven embodied a new idealistic Romantic hero who shook up established rules and institutions. One moment his music was stormy, the next tender. Either way, the charismatic prodigy’s music has an enduring appeal.
Deeply touched by Beethoven’s abundant catalogue, violinist Frank Ho partnered with pianist Joachim Segger to celebrate the 250th anniversary of Beethoven’s birth in 1770. Due to the pandemic, the original 2020 concert was postponed. As restrictions were lifted, the duo played an in-house Beethoven program at King’s University where both musicians teach.
Ho and Segger are featured at St. Albert Chamber Music closing concert of the season playing three Beethoven sonatas, the first of its kind outside Kings University.
“Joachim and I have known of each other in the past, however this project brought us together. We’ve enjoyed the collaboration and developed a stronger sense of support and communication. We use what’s in front of us as a guide, but we’re also discovering the flexibility in music. With our experience, we play around with the interpretation and phrasing,” said Ho.
The first half of the program features two sonatas: Op. 12, No. 2 and Op. 30, No. 1. The sonatas are not only showcases for violin. They also demand the pianist play exacting and intricate melodies and movements.
“At the time he wrote Op. 12 he was a young man of 28 and he was the latest thing on the Viennese musical scene. It was a few years before the onset of deafness. You can hear his youthful exuberance. He could be introverted, and the second movement shows this side of his persona.”
“Opus 30 is a more mature work. It’s a very pastoral sonata. It’s almost heavenly music. It’s introverted and thoughtful like a long meditation or a prayer.”
The duo’s second act is the 35-minute Op. 47, or as it is commonly referred to as the Kreutzer. It is the ninth of Beethoven’s 10 sonatas for violin and piano and his most technically demanding.
“In each movement the concept is grand. It’s in the style of a concerto. He was pushing the envelope. He was pushing the technical aspect. He was pushing the musical aspect. Its dimensions are large. Conceptually, Beethoven wrote the sonata bordering on conceit. He was pushing the limits to see how far he could go. And others after Beethoven tried to emulate him. Some succeeded. Some didn’t.”
In an interesting aside, the Kreutzer was dedicated to Rodolphe Kreutzer, an established musician-composer of the times.
“They didn’t meet, but they knew each other by reputation. Kreutzer deemed it unworthy of his attention and was never known to play it publicly. It’s a bit funny and ironic since today not many people today know Kreutzer’s work.”
Beethoven is one of Ho’s favourite musicians. But the admiration extends beyond music.
“In a way, he really was heroic. He could write such great music even though he couldn’t hear it. That speaks to his genius, his brilliance, his motivation.”
Opening the concert is a performance by emerging St. Albert artists Tiana and Anthony Yue. This accomplished brother-sister duo will play Vivaldei’s Concerto in E minor for cello and piano.
The concert is Saturday, May 6 at 7:30 p.m. at St. Albert United Church, 20 Green Grove Dr. Tickets are $15 to $35. They are available online at Eventbrite or in person at Musée Heritage Museum.
