The SPOGreatMusic Performance Series: S42E04

Release Date: November 26, 2021

On this fourth episode of our SPOGreatMusic Performance Series (Season 42, 2021/2022), we’re pleased to present the following videos:

 

Beethoven’s “Piano Sonata No. 26 in E♭ major, Op. 81a”, “Les Adieux”

Performed by Alexander Panizza

Beethoven’s Piano Sonata No. 26 in E♭ major, Op. 81a, known as Les Adieux (“The Farewell”), was written during the years 1809 and 1810.

The title Les Adieux implies a programmatic nature. The French attack on Vienna, led by Napoléon Bonaparte in 1809, forced Beethoven’s patron, Archduke Rudolph, to leave the city. Yet, there is some uncertainty about this nature of the piece — or at least, about the degree to which Beethoven wished this programmatic nature would be known. He titled the three movements “Lebewohl”, “Abwesenheit”, and “Wiedersehen” (‘farewell’, ‘absence’, and ‘reunion’), and reportedly regarded the French “Adieux” (said to whole assemblies or cities) as a poor translation of the feeling of the German “Lebewohl” (said heartfully to a single person). Indeed, Beethoven wrote the syllables “Le-be-wohl” over the first three chords.

On the first 1811 publication, a dedication was added reading “On the departure of his Imperial Highness, for the Archduke Rudolph in admiration”.

An average performance of the piece lasts about 17 minutes. The sonata is one of Beethoven’s most challenging sonatas because of the mature emotions that must be conveyed throughout as well as the technical difficulties involved. It is also the bridge between his middle period and his later period and is considered the third great sonata of the middle period. [Source: Wikipedia]

Software and plugins used: Recorded on a Yamaha N3 Soundest: Vienna Instruments Bösendorfer Imperial Sound: Studio One v5 Video: Premiere Pro with Red Giant software

 

ODIN QUARTET: TIME TO TANGO!

The “Time To Tango!” video series was created and performed by the Odin Quartet earlier in 2021. This series was produced in conjuction with our SPO Community Partners, the Brantford Symphony Orchestra, and presented digitally at senior living centres in Brantford.

The SPO appreciates being able to share these fantastic performances as part of our new 2021/2022 SPOGreatMusic Performance Series.

Kevin Pang’s “Tango” (World Premiere on October 2, 2021)

Performed by Odin Quartet (Alex Toskov, violin; Tanya Charles Iveniuk, violin; Laurence Schaufele*, viola; Samuel Bisson, cello)

For more information on the Odin Quartet, visit http://www.odinquartet.com.

 

Sebastián Iradier’s “La Paloma”

Performed by Odin Quartet (Alex Toskov, violin; Tanya Charles Iveniuk, violin; Laurence Schaufele*, viola; Samuel Bisson, cello)

For more information on the Odin Quartet, visit http://www.odinquartet.com.

To learn more about the composer, Sebastián Iradier, visit https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sebasti%C3%A1n_Iradier.

 

Astor Piazzolla’s “Milongo en Re”

Performed by Maximos Farmakidis, flute, and Dr. Cecilia Lee, piano

To learn more about the composer, Astor Piazzolla, visit https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Astor_Piazzolla.


Performer and Composer Bios

ALEXANDER PANIZZA: Alexander has been selected as the SPO Artist-in-Residence for the SPO 2021/2022 Season. To learn more about Mr. Panizza, please see his AiR bio here!!!!!

 


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