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Triple Concerto in C Major for Piano, Violin, Cello, and Orchestra, Op. 56 -Ludwig van Beethoven (born December 16, 1770 in Bonn, Germany; died March 26, 1827 in Vienna) Although Beethoven's Triple Concerto was written the same year as the "Eroica" Symphony, also heard on this program, it could hardly be more different in style or sensibility. Whereas the "Eroica" moves aggressively forward into new musical worlds, the T riple Concerto is a loving hom- age to an earlier age, full of cheer and good feeling rather than turmoil and stress. Like the Violin Concerto, it is a journey through the eighteenth Century, but in no sense a retread; with Beethoven as the tour guide, it becomes an adventure through familiär territory, offering a longer ride than usual and unfamiliar slants of light. Beethoven wrote the piece for his pupil Archduke Rudolph, a competent pianist but no virtuoso; the two other performers were Beethoven's colleagues Carl August Seidler and Anton Kraft. For reasons that remain obscure, it was not performed pub- licly until 1808, five years after its composi- tion, although scholars assume it was played frequently before then in the home of Beethoven's musical patron. After the premiere, the concerto lay dormant until 1830, and public perfor- mances have continued to be infrequent. Despite its unrelenting amiability, the con certo has several peculiar disadvantages, all of a practical nature. Because of Arch duke Rudolph's pianistic limitations, Beethoven deliberately held back on the kind of brilliant piano writing that audi- ences have come to expect in big concertos. Furthermore, the hiring of three soloists instead of one, especially for a "nonvirtuoso" piece, is obviously an ex- pensive proposition for concert managers. Finally, the piece is long and intellectually challenging, not a problem for a "serious" Beethoven work, where these qualities are expected, but a difficulty here, where the music is ostensibly lighter. Indeed, one of the most striking aspects of the concerto is its continuous violation of "Let us take you back in time to a tum of the Century New Orleans French Quarter Bistro." SEAFOOD • STEAKS GOURMET FRENCH CREOLE CUISINE Served in an elegant but casual atmosphere. 10% THEATRE DISCOUNT* ★★★ The Star Ledger ★ ★★★ The Home News Only a 5 Minute Walk to the Theatre 61-63 Church Street, New Brunswick Reservations Suggested (908) 246-3111 ‘ 10% off the food portion of your check when you show us your theatre tickets.
