DePauw Orchestra Presents 'Ode to Beethoven' Sunday

October 23, 2019

As the classical music world approaches the 250th anniversary of the birth of Ludwig van Beethoven next year in 2020, the DePauw University Orchestra is jumping in early with its “Ode to Beethoven” featuring one of the composer’s most famous rhythmic and energetic works, Symphony No. 7 in A Major.  The orchestra and music director Orcenith Smith will present this master work on Sunday, October 27 at 4 p.m. in Kresge Auditorium of the Green Center for the Performing Arts.  The concert is free and open to the public -- no tickets are required.

According to Smith, “Beethoven’s purposeful attempts at pushing the envelope to create unique symphonic music were profound by this point in his career. Every work, which was finely wrought in depth of thought, gave us new revelations.”

Born in 1770, Beethoven published his first composition at the age of 12.  Symphony No. 7 was written between 1811 and 1812, and Beethoven is noted as having remarked that this was his best work when it premiered.

With its captivating introduction and dance-like first movement, melancholy and noble second movement and strangely gleeful and pensive minuet/scherzo, the Symphony No. 7 is wondrous to behold, taking its leave with a riotous final movement of swirling notes that never seem to stop for a breath — an opening celebration of which Beethoven himself would approve.

The School of Music will continue the celebration of Beethoven throughout the year, including a performance by the Israeli Chamber Project during the March Green Guest Artist concert.

For additional event details visit music.depauw.edu or follow the School of Music on Facebook and Instagram @depauwmusic.

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