Beethoven and the Archduke

Piano Festival 2020 - rerun

Pianist Orit Wolf discusses and performs the works Beethoven composed for Count Rudolf. Violinist Hagai Shaham, cellist Hillel Zori, and pianist Shir Semmel join Dr. Wolf. 

The presentation contains works Beethoven composed for and dedicated to Duke Rudolf of Austria. Beethoven, having arrived in Vienna, was surrounded by dukes, princes, and patrons, who came and went, helped, or declined. Not everyone got along with Beethoven, a man with a coarse and abrasive personality. The only patron who remained loyal to him from the beginning to the end and even became his close friend was Duke Rudolph. Beethoven dedicated to him fourteen works, among the most famous in his oeuvre. In this exciting encounter, we will relate, perform, and celebrate this unique connection between twin souls.

The lecture-concert will feature episodes from Beethoven's Trio for piano, violin, and cello in B-flat Major ("The Archduke") op. 97; Piano Sonata No. 26 in E-flat Major ("Les Adieux"), op. 81a; Piano Sonata No. 29 in B-flat major ("Hammerklavier"), op. 106, and more……………………. c. 70 min.

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