Concert on Beethoven's baptism day

An evening for Ludwig van Beethoven: the two Mozart Magic Flute Variations adapted by Beethoven clearly demonstrate Beethoven's youthful talent and vitality. This is followed by Shostakovich's last work, the Sonata for Viola. The composer described the first movement as a "narrative". It begins with a lonely pizzicato motif and ends with a hint of light in the darkness. Most of the material in the second movement comes from Shostakovich's unfinished opera "The Gambler", and under the unique timbre of the viola it seems even more ironic. Shostakovich called the last movement "Adagio - in memory of the great composer". He emphasised that its mood was "bright and clear". The allusions to Beethoven's "Moonlight Sonata" and the reminiscences of themes from the first movements show the connection between the two great composers across space and time. Shostakovich's decision to honour Beethoven in his last work shows his admiration for him." - Diyang Mei

In cooperation with the Confucius Institute Bonn