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The early years of the nineteenth century saw a surge in popularity for works composed for larger chamber ensembles of winds and strings. Beethoven’s Septet in E-flat major, Op. 20, was considered the very peak of the genre: so successful was it that publishers released multiple arrangements of it for different-sized ensembles, prompting Beethoven to write his own arrangement for clarinet, cello and fortepiano – his Op.38. The piece loses none of its genius in its revoicing, with an arrangement so natural and convincing it sounds like it could have been written for these forces.
Influenced by Beethoven's Septet, and with a clear inheritance from other composers like Schubert, Spohr and Weber, the delightful Grand Septet by Swedish composer Franz Berwald is an inspired work by an often-overlooked composer. Building on short thematic fragments that often mimic village tunes and dances, there is some innovative writing at play - listen how the second movement features a scherzo in the middle of an adagio! But it's not all sweetness and light, as occasional harmonic twists hint at tensions that never fully resolve...
“The Australian Romantic & Classical Orchestra continue to spoil Australian audiences with yet another first-class performance of Classical music. … All in all, this was an inspirational performance that was faultless and energetic and demonstrated a balance between reason and passion, between intellect and spirit.”
State of the Art, 2020
EVOKE | BEETHOVEN & BERWALD
Sunday 25 April | 7.30pm
Blackheath Chamber Music Festival
Blackheath, NSW
EVOKE | BEETHOVEN & BERWALD
Monday 26 April | 6.30pm
R J Phipps Performance Centre
The Hills Grammar School
43 Kenthurst Road, Kenthurst
EVOKE | BEETHOVEN & BERWALD
Sunday 2 May | 11.00am & 1.00pm
Canberra International Music Festival
Fitters Workshop, Kingston
EVOKE | BEETHOVEN & BERWALD
Thursday 6 May | 7.00pm
City Recital Hall
2 Angel Place, Sydney
EVOKE | BEETHOVEN & BERWALD
Friday 7 May | 7.00pm
Upper Hunter Conservatorium of Music
80 Bridge Street, Muswellbrook
EVOKE | BEETHOVEN & BERWALD
Saturday 8 May | 4.00pm
Adamstown Uniting Church
Newcastle
EVOKE | BEETHOVEN & BERWALD
Sunday 9 May | 2.30pm & 7.30pm
Primrose Potter Salon
Melbourne Recital Centre
ARTISTS
Australian Romantic &
Classical Orchestra
PROGRAM
Ludwig van Beethoven
3 Equali for four trombones, WoO 30
Franz Berwald
Grand Septet in B-flat major for clarinet, horn, bassoon, violin, viola, cello and double bass
Ludwig van Beethoven
Trio in E-flat major, Op.38 for clarinet, cello and fortepiano (after Septet, Op.20)
Click here to watch our EVOKE pre-concert talk, where our co-artistic director Nicole van Bruggen discusses the evolution of chamber music in the early 19th century, in particular works for strings and winds such as Beethoven's Septet and Franz Berwald's Grand Septet.
Click here to download our EVOKE concert program.
Australian Romantic & Classical Orchestra is a registered COVID-19 Safe Organisation, is committed to maintaining a safe environment, and will continue to apply Public Health Orders in all relevant states and territories as they relate to ticketing and seating arrangements for public events. Please check back for the latest updates on eventual COVID-19 restrictions.