The first immersive weekend – part of our series Beethoven Now – explored who Beethoven was as an individual.
The afternoon began with presenter Sarah Walker [in Wimborne] and presenter Tom Service [in Bristol] introducing author John Suchet to the stage.
Suchet shared insights from his biography Beethoven: The Man Revealed, including details of the composer’s character, family relationships, and failed romances. A picture was painted for the audience of an eccentric, passionate character – described in his time as having ‘blazing eyes’ – who lived life on his own terms.
“A picture was painted for the audience of an eccentric, passionate character – described in his time as having ‘blazing eyes’ – who lived life on his own terms.”
Sadly, the iconic composer’s passion for life and music didn’t lead to success in love. One unrequited lover, Magdalena, stated she couldn’t marry him because ‘he was ugly and half crazy!’. And this was but one of his rejected marriage proposals.
After the audience had listened to Suchet’s comprehensive introduction, actor Samuel West read extracts from Beethoven’s letters. West’s readings were accompanied by music from Beethoven’s late String Quartets.
The music was exquisitely performed by a quartet from the Orchestra [Co-Leader Mark Derudder, Section Principal Second Violin Carol Paige, Section Principal Viola Clement Pickering, Co-Principal Cello Hannah Sloane].
In the letters West read from, Beethoven was exploring themes including his own mortality, and the trials of heartbreak. Music and speech were overlayed at times to beautiful effect. As musicians played a pin could be heard to drop. There were very few dry eyes left in the house when the performance ended.
Following a short break, Chief Conductor Mark Wigglesworth entered the stage. Mark described Beethoven’s music as ‘intimate, extraordinary and visionary.’ He reflected on the ways in which Beethoven delved into his own psyche to create music, and how he might inspire us to look inside ourselves too; perhaps discovering our own deep truths.
“There were very few dry eyes left in the house when the performance ended.”
Percussionist Dame Evelyn Glennie was then interviewed on stage. Glennie spoke of her experience of hearing loss, and of life as a musician; posing some pertinent questions. One being ‘what does it mean to truly listen?’.
She shared that she believes when we listen, we do so with all our senses and that, ultimately, ‘listening is feeling.’ A notion Beethoven – who famously experienced hearing loss himself – may well have agreed with.
The afternoons finished with an ‘Any Questions’ style session hosted by broadcaster Jonathan Dimbleby. The panel included Mark Wigglesworth, Dame Evelyn Glennie, and John Suchet. Questions asked were gathered from the audience throughout the day, as well as any impromptu questions that arose during the session.