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Beethoven in an Art Gallery


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Ian Scarfe full profile / Solo Piano / 1 musician


Full program notes

Two of the greatest works by Ludwig van Beethoven:

Piano Sonata in F Minor, Op. 57 "Appasionata"
Piano Sonata in A-flat major, Op. 110


Historical context

"When I was a teenager, Beethoven's 'Appasionata' was one of the pieces that really got my blood going. As the kids would say, it is METAL AF. Filled with searing hot virtuosity, frightening violence, and a blessed moment of quiet repose in the middle, it's really one of the great experiences any pianist can ever wish for. My 15 year old self always dreamed about playing this - now I can try to live up to that dream.

The second piece on the program, Op. 110, is one of Beethoven's last works, and is thoughtful and expressive, with the feeling of a long story being unwound like a thread. It has it's moments of fist-shaking-Beethoven-drama, but overall it is a work about redemption, the pursuit of perfection, and finding a kind of ecstasy in the struggle to get there." - Ian


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