Beethoven Project: Pre-Concert Talk With Dr. Marie Sumner Lott

About

The symphonies of Ludwig van Beethoven have long been considered the heart of the orchestral repertoire. They epitomize the collaboration inherent in great orchestral playing, bringing together many diverse voices to express universal human experiences and emotions. In this series of pre-concert talks, Dr. Marie Sumner Lott explains how Beethoven and his generation introduced new approaches to writing for the orchestra in works that continue to serve as a foundation for music in today's movies and TV shows, video games, and concert music.

Though he was born at the beginning of the "Classical" era and trained in that tradition, which venerated symmetry, balance, and poise, Beethoven matured in the era of Romanticism. He made his indelible mark on musical culture by translating the philosophy and values of that movement into music that would be emulated by subsequent generations up to the present day. The Fourth and Seventh Symphonies show Beethoven's mastery of musical drama and pacing, and the influence of Romanticism's predilection for mystery and suspense. In this pre-concert talk, Dr. Sumner Lott will explore the features of literary and artistic Romanticism that inspired Beethoven and his generation; we'll listen to excerpts from the two symphonies that seem designed to recreate the high drama of Romantic painting and poetry.

This event will take place in the Event Room at the Woodruff Arts Center. The Event Room is located on the 2nd floor of the Memorial Arts Building across from Atlanta Symphony Hall.

This event is free for all classical performance ticket holders.

Learn more about the Beethoven Project