Beethoven’s (Belated) Birthday Bash

Saturday, April 30 7:00pm Part A | Early works
Sunday, May 1 at 3:00pm Part B | Late works
Irvington Presbyterian Church
25 N Broadway
Irvington, NY 10533

Complete Works for Cello and Piano, in two concerts
Peter Seidenberg, cello and Hui-Mei Lin, piano

Tickets:
$40 for single concert [only Part A or Part B]
$70 for both concerts [Part A and Part B]

These two concerts, originally scheduled for 2020 to coincide with Beethoven’s 250th birthday, were postponed due to the pandemic. We will now celebrate the 252nd year of his birth. Cellist Peter Seidenberg and pianist Hui-Mei Lin will bring this sparkling repertoire vividly to life.

From 1795 to 1816 Beethoven composed five sonatas and three sets of variations for cello and piano. Each piece unto itself is a beautiful gem, written with unusual compositional cleverness, defying norms of Classical Style. Taken as a whole these pieces create an autobiographical arc exemplifying each one of Beethoven’s compositional periods. The two concerts encompass all these pieces, in chronological order, offering the listener an experience of the biographical span of Beethoven’s life.

Part A jumps immediately into the world of Beethoven as a virtuosic star throughout Europe. Life is optimistic. Part B explores the heroic aspects of Beethoven’s compositions, he’s at the height of his artistic power. Then we delve into the deeply personal, almost diary-like compositions of his late period.  Through each concert, listeners will journey through Beethoven’s life and compositional evolution. They will hear not only his maturation as a composer but also his developing treatment of the partnership between cello and piano.

As appropriate for a Viennese birthday celebration, each concert will be followed by cake and a champagne toast! Let’s Party!!