NACO at the Fourth

Start: 2020-12-02T20:00-0500
End: 2020-12-02T21:30-0500
Location: Fourth Stage

with James Ehnes

Music Classical music Chamber music

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NACO at the Fourth WolfGANG Sessions
1:00:00
NACO at the Fourth Sublime String Quartets
NACO at the Fourth NACO at the Fourth with members of NACO Brass
1:03:40
NACO at the Fourth NACO at the Fourth with members of the Orchestra
60:00
NACO at the Fourth NACO at the Fourth with Ironwood Quartet
1:00:29
NACO at the Fourth NACO at the Fourth with Yosuke Kawasaki and...
53:49
NACO at the Fourth NACO at the Fourth String Trio

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NAC Orchestra

Dec 2, 2020 - 8 PM EDT

Featured artists

Violin/Viola James Ehnes

Original broadcast date: December 2, 2020

Join James Ehnes, the NAC Orchestra’s new Artist in Residence, and his friends from the NAC Orchestra, in this chamber music concert recognizing the 250th anniversary of Beethoven’s birth.

Program:

BEETHOVEN String Quintet in C major, Op. 29 (35”)

Allegro moderato
Adagio molto espressivo
Scherzo. Allegro
Presto

BEETHOVEN Septet in E-flat major, Op. 20 (40”)

Adagio – Allegro con brio
Adagio cantabile
Tempo di menuetto
Tema con variazioni (Andante)
Scherzo (Allegro molto e vivace)
Andante con moto alla marcia - Presto

In Beethoven’s entire output of string music, the String Quintet in C major, Op. 29 is his only full-length string quintet. Written in 1801, at a time where he was truly confronting his fate of his inevitable deafness, none of that turmoil can be heard. It is tranquil, rich and voluptuous, with the lower strings enhanced by the second viola (played by James Ehnes). Often overshadowed by his string quartets, it is considered a treat to hear this rarely performed, and strangely neglected, quintet.

Beethoven’s Septet, on the other hand, was written in 1799, before any realization of his impending deafness. It quickly became one of his most popular works for its cheery, optimistic, playful and sparkling nature, much to his great chagrin. (He later said he wished he could burn the work!) Featuring the unusual ensemble of violin, viola, cello, double bass, clarinet, bassoon and horn, it is written in the divertimento style (considered pop music at its time) with six contrasting movements.