Performing Beethoven’s Ten Violin & Piano Sonatas
Two complete cycles, three years apart
Every one of Beethoven’s ten violin sonatas is a unique gem and performing the full cycle is a fabulous way to fully experience and celebrate both Beethoven’s compositional evolution, as well as his unquestionable creative genius.
Kate Boyd (American pianist and dear friend from my doctoral studies in the 1990s at Stony Brook University) and I put a plan together for a wonderful and challenging project – to perform the cycle twice in 2020, first in New Zealand in my Central Otago neighbourhood, then in Indianapolis at Butler University, where Kate is Professor.
We performed the first cycle in February 2020, not knowing what was about to hit the world in just weeks to come. Due to those COVID disruptions, it was a full three years before we were able to mount our second cycle in January 2023, and the wait was worth it.
Silver linings
Preparing for two complete Beethoven Violin Sonata cycles, three years apart, turned out to be particularly fruitful for me in more deeply exploring my own ListenFeel Play philosophies.
I was able to discover more technical and expressive control, and I thrived on my ability to unlock more physical intelligence and comfort through the challenging process of preparing the whole cycle a second time.
I’ve shared some insights and discoveries as I went along, with the hope of inspiring others towards greater expressive power and ultimate performance enjoyment.
Silver linings the second time around
Having performed the complete cycle of Beethoven’s violin sonatas in February 2020 with American pianist Kate Boyd, we had originally planned to perform the cycle again later that year. But of course, COVID had other plans for us and the soonest that we could rearrange for our second cycle was for 10-17 January 2023 – almost 3 years later.
With the first of these concerts now just a day away, I’ve been reflecting on the new opportunities that presented themselves because of the enforced ‘change of plans’, and the silver linings have been numerous and rather wonderful.
Effort, Age and Survival
It is over a month since my last blog post and with the 6 weeks that have passed, we are well and truly in mid-summer here in Central Otago.
I have been systematically working through the 10 Beethoven violin sonatas, regularly inspired by the awesome landscapes outside my window, and accompanied by my trusty sidekick – Coco the cat.
It turns out one of the biggest current challenges is physical fatigue.
Where to from here?
The next three months are super exciting for me, with 3 concerts confirmed in Mid-Feb 2020 for the performance of all 10 Beethoven sonatas within three days…and all in my new gorgeous neighbourhood of Central Otago.
It’s quite possible that I am naïve to the full enormity of this project – but one thing is for sure, sinking my teeth into these works again is a true treat, and the magnitude of the project is just what I am now needing at this point in my life.