Listen Monday, December 16 at 7:30 p.m. for a Live CPR Classical in Concert broadcast of Bertie Baegent conducting Beethoven from Boettcher Hall. David Ginder hosts.
Listen to CPR Classical on your radio at 88.1 FM in Denver, stream the music on this website, or by asking your smart speaker to "Play CPR Classical." (Find other ways to listen.)
During the Sound of the Season on CPR Classical, we always take a side-path to celebrate Beethoven’s birthday on December 16th. After all, festivity inspires more festivity. And the giant that Beethoven is in our world deserves no less.
The Beethoven celebration this year is even bigger than usual because it begins the one-year lead-up to the 250th birth anniversary in 2020.
And what a kick-off to the year: a Colorado Symphony concert broadcast live from Denver's Boettcher Hall on Beethoven’s actual birth date. Whether you’re there in person or listening to CPR Classical for the live broadcast, you’ll hear emotional works from Beethoven’s heroic “middle period”, marked by stress and conflict that confidently lead us to resolution and triumph.
The Egmont Overture represents the essence of Beethoven, the humanitarian. It’s part of incidental music for Johann von Goethe’s play about the 16th century Count of Egmont, who did the right thing, no matter the obstacles. Egmont led a rebellion which sparked war, leading to the eventual independence of the Netherlands. The music’s heroic nature is crystal clear.
The 5th Symphony is arguably Beethoven’s ultimate statement on resolution following a difficult journey. It begins with the famous 4-note “fate knocking at the door” theme, which dominates the entire piece, and it ends in a triumphant blaze of glory.
Also from the period is Beethoven’s Emperor Piano Concerto, with 19-year-old Colorado Springs pianist Benjamin Randall playing the opening movement. Benjamin has won numerous competitions, including the 2018 Schmitt Music Steinway Concerto Competition.
Join us on Monday, December 16 at 7:30 p.m. for this exciting concert!
See and hear more about Beethoven from CPR Classical
LISTEN:
The Beethoven 9 - an in-depth exploration of Ludwig van Beethoven's nine symphonies
WATCH from the CPR Performance Studio:
