“Music is a higher revelation than all wisdom and philosophy. Music is the electrical soil in which the spirit lives, thinks and invents”.
- Ludwig van Beethoven
CELEBRATING BEETHOVEN | BCMF COMMISSION
AFTERNOON OPUS - Spring
In 2027, the world commemorates the 200th anniversary of Ludwig van Beethoven’s death. In homage to Beethoven, two exhilarating pairings, cellist Julian Smiles and pianist Laurence Matheson, and ACO violinist Ike See and pianist Konstantin Shamray present two of Beethoven’s greatest chamber works.
The Opus 69 Sonata for Cello and Piano is characterised by epic heroism in which both players are equally virtuosic. The beloved ‘Spring’ Sonata for Violin and Piano is one of Beethoven’s most luminous works, an exquisite exploration of humour, bravura and lyricism.
Separating the two sonatas is a new work for solo piano, commissioned by the Blackheath Chamber Music Festival and dedicated to Festival founder, Catherine Harker. Inspired by Beethoven’s Diabelli Variations, the work comprises a set of five variations, each variation written by an Australian whom Catherine has championed at previous festivals: Harry Sdraulig, Justin Williams, Ella Macens, Anne Cawrse and Lachlan Skipworth.
Program
Ludwig van Beethoven
Sonata No. 3 for Cello & Piano in A major, Opus 69
WORLD PREMIERE
‘Harker Variations’
Ludwig van Beethoven
Sonata No. 5 for Violin & Piano in F major, Opus 24 ‘Spring’
Artists
Konstantin Shamray | Piano
Laurence Matheson | Piano
Ike See | Violin
Julian Smiles | Cello
Program Duration: 70 Minutes without Interval
Tickets
Festival Gold Pass $445 | General Admission $70 | Under 30 $35 |