Friday, December 12, 2003 20:00
Macao Cultural Centre Grand Auditorium
Musik zu einem Ritterballet, WoO 1 ▍Symphony Nº 4 in B-flat major, op. 60
▍Violin Concerto in D major, op. 61
Violin: Antje Weithaas ▍Conductor: En Shao
The Violin Concerto in D Major is the only violin concerto Beethoven ever composed. It is also one of the most outstanding and celebrated violin pieces ever written. Beethoven never got married, but nevertheless lived a romantic life. His “eternal” love for Madame Dana Steichen resulted in the creation of several works including this one. The Concerto opens with four peremptory timpani strikes answered by a sustained woodwind chorale. The tendency of resolving opposites recurs again in the second movement’s theme and variations. The cheerful rondo finale brings a pastoral quality that invites comparison with the third movement of the 6th Symphony. This piece is in ways symbolic to Beethoven’s life at that moment.