Beethoven changed music more than any other composer. And in doing so, he profoundly changed what our relationship to it can be. His music is about us, and like Shakespeare, we feel he understands who we are and what our lives are like. We feel heard by him. All of his symphonies are roads to joy and to acknowledge the 200th anniversary of his death with an 18-month project that celebrates each of the symphonies in turn is a timeless and timely opportunity to engage in what Beethoven means to us today.
Watch Mark in conversation with Andrew Burn.
Beethoven: The Symphonies
Wednesday 30 September | Lighthouse, Poole
Thursday 1 October | Bristol Beacon
Beethoven Symphony No.1
Wagner The Ring: An Orchestra Adventure
Wednesday 4 November | Lighthouse, Poole
Thursday 5 November | Bristol Beacon
Prokofiev Classical Symphony
Schumann Piano Concerto
Beethoven Symphony No.2
Wednesday 17 March 2027 | Lighthouse, Poole
Thursday 18 March 2027 | Bristol Beacon
Beethoven Coriolan Overture (not Bristol)
Beethoven Cantata on the Death of Emperor Josef II
Beethoven Symphony No.3 ‘Eroica’
Wednesday 28 April 2027 | Lighthouse, Poole
Thursday 29 April 2027 | Bristol Beacon
Brahms Piano Concerto No.2
Adès Three Piece Suite from Powder Her Face
Beethoven Symphony No.4
Wednesday 6 October 2027 | Lighthouse, Poole
Thursday 7 October 2027 | Bristol Beacon
programme to include:
Beethoven Symphony No.5
Wednesday 8 December 2027 | Lighthouse, Poole
Thursday 9 December 2027 | Bristol Beacon
Beethoven Symphony No.6 ‘Pastoral’
Mahler Das Lied von der Erde
Wednesday 19 January 2028 | Lighthouse, Poole
Thursday 20 January 2028 | Bristol Beacon
programme to include:
Beethoven Symphony No.7
Wednesday 23 February 2028 | Lighthouse, Poole
Thursday 24 February 2028 | Bristol Beacon
Beethoven Symphony No.8
Beethoven Symphony No.9 ‘Choral’
Beethoven Now
In addition to the performances of the symphonies, the journey includes a series of special events engaging with Beethoven beyond the music – through performance, discussion, and debate. The first explores Beethoven the man, the second looks at his music, and the third asks what role Beethoven plays in society today.
Saturday 31 October | Assembly Hall, Canford School, Poole | from 1.30pm | £12
Sunday 1 November | The Lantern, Bristol Beacon | from 1.30pm
Beethoven: the Man
Beethoven’s life will be illustrated by readings from his letters accompanied by excerpts from his string quartets; percussionist Dame Evelyn Glennie will help us understand more about the musical and social implications of deafness; there will be a performance by BSO Resound, our disabled led ensemble; and the afternoon will end with an ‘Any Questions’ debate chaired by Jonathan Dimbleby. Hosted by Sarah Walker in Poole and Tom Service in Bristol, the day will offer unique insights into why Beethoven has such universal appeal and timeless significance.
Saturday 2 October 2027 | Poole
Sunday 3 October 2027 | Bristol Beacon
Beethoven: the Music
Saturday 19 February 2028 | Poole
Sunday 20 February 2028 | Bristol Beacon
Beethoven: in Society
An opportunity to engage in what Beethoven means to us now, through performance, conversation, and debate... to ask why he, his music, and his relationship to others has a timeless and universal relevance to who we are today.
