RICHARD TOGNETTI
Artistic Director and Lead Violin
DEJAN LAZIC
Piano
DEAN
Testament
BEETHOVEN
Piano Concerto No.4
BEETHOVEN
Symphony No.4
Beethoven’s Fourth Piano Concerto begins with a moment of quiet radicalism, as the piano alone gently ushers the listener into the work. Where previous concertos were a contest between a heroic soloist and the opposing force of an orchestra, here Beethoven reconciles them in his most lyrical, personal and serene concerto. The intimacy of this concerto is the ideal vehicle for rising star Dejan Lazic, who is as adept at poetry as virtuosity.
Beethoven’s Symphony No.4 has been overshadowed by its celebrated siblings. But when you hear it, you’ll discover that the Fourth is effervescent, witty and wise. As Beethoven went on to more revolutionary experiments, one critic said, rather wistfully, “there are no words to describe the deep, powerful spirit of this work from his earlier and most beautiful period.”
Brett Dean, one of the most acclaimed composers of his generation, has a gift for translating striking images into sound. The picture he paints in Testament is of Beethoven losing his hearing: bows skitter almost noiselessly across the strings simulating the frantic scratching of his quill, as snatches of his music surface and dissolve. The piece is a testament to the power of Beethoven’s creativity. As his hearing deteriorated he was spurred to create some of his most masterful scores, including the ones on this program.
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