【Thursday Arts Appreciation】10 Pianists, 7 Performances – The “Absolutely Youthful & Passionate Beethoven” Complete Piano Sonatas

By MOOK Scenic Spots Family Travel Network, reported and compiled by Chen Guanxin

 

A groundbreaking event in Taiwan’s music scene, the “Absolutely Youthful & Passionate Beethoven” concert series, featuring all 35 of Beethoven’s piano sonatas performed in one go, will take place from March 7 to 22 in seven concerts at the Luzhou KHS Music Hall. Planned by renowned pianist Yeh Lü-Na and presented by KHS and Steinway Piano, the series invites ten outstanding young Taiwanese pianists aged between 13 and 27. Among them are top graduates and students from world-renowned music conservatories, as well as international competition winners. This rare platform for young Taiwanese pianists brings together a collaborative performance of what is hailed as the “New Testament” of piano repertoire – Beethoven’s complete piano sonatas.

Yeh Lü-Na described this as a project that was “long in the making but quickly materialized,” since performing the full cycle of Beethoven’s piano sonatas is a dream for any serious musician. The lineup includes Lin Yi-lin, Tsai Yu-shu, Huang Shi-wei, Wang Da-wei, Chen Yun-an, Hu Rong, Wang Zhao-huan, Hsu Shan-chi, Huang Yu-ting, and Huang Tzu-chia. Five of them have specially returned to Taiwan from the United States, Switzerland, Russia, and Germany to participate. Lin Yi-lin, currently teaching at the Yale School of Music, is the First Prize winner of the 2010 Grieg International Piano Competition in Oslo. Huang Shi-wei won first prize at the 2011 Sorantin International Competition in the United States. Chen Yun-an is currently pursuing a Performance Diploma at the Peabody Institute in the U.S., while Hsu Shan-chi is studying at the Hanover University of Music, Drama and Media. The youngest participants, Huang Yu-ting and Huang Tzu-chia, both from the Junior High Department of the Affiliated Senior High School of National Taiwan Normal University’s Music Class, will perform the Taiwan premiere of three of Beethoven’s “Kurfürsten Sonatas.”

 

Before composing his famous 32 sonatas, 13-year-old Beethoven wrote three unpublished works dedicated to the Elector of Bavaria, Frederick, hence known as the “Kurfürsten Sonatas.” Yeh Lü-Na explained: “Although Beethoven noted on the score that they were written when he was 11, his father had reduced his age by two years to create the image of a child prodigy, so they were actually composed when he was 13.” These three “Kurfürsten Sonatas” will make their debut on March 7 in the concert titled “From Innocence to Mature Romance,” presented alongside the last three sonatas to provide a sharp contrast. Other concerts explore varied themes, including “Pathétique & Tempest,” “Classical & Concise,” “Fantasy, Moonlight & Passion,” “Hero’s Death & Waldstein,” “Romantic & Grand,” and concluding with “Pastoral, Love & Farewell.” They systematically showcase Beethoven’s piano artistry. Beyond the captivating performances on stage, audiences are also offered an extremely educational arts and culture experience.

 

 

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