Immortal Beethoven
created by The Moving CompanySat Jul 30, 2022
Orchestra Hall
In this imaginative play with music, Beethoven comes to life in a new way. The Moving Company’s Nathan Keepers, Sarah Agnew and Steven Epp portray fictional and historical characters who pose a few questions to Beethoven: What’s the work of the artist today? Does that change across history? Directed by Dominique Serrand, and featuring live music performed by the Orchestra with Sarah Hicks conducting, the work examines Beethoven’s impact over the generations.
This performance will run approximately 75 minutes without intermission.
A Few Things to Know
- The Moving Company offered these comments on the ideas that went into creating the musical play Immortal Beethoven:
"Ludwig van Beethoven wasn’t the most jovial of people, you might say. He was known to be cantankerous and misanthropic—and singularly focused on his work, which caused him great joy and pain. When we started to read about him and his life, we were struck by the reality of his persona put next to his music. So we started to explore questions like who he was, who we think he was, who he wasn’t, what he made, what we think he made, what we hear when we listen to his music, what he was hearing in his head, why we still care—and why wouldn’t we still care?" - These avenues of inquiry led to even broader questions. Can you separate the artist from the art? Do the events of an artist’s life inform the work solely? Or is it a pursuit of form, a need to break from the traditions and carve your own path? We can’t ever fully know—but does it matter if we do? And what happens if that artist’s life is combed over, picked through and argued about for 200 years? Can you hear the music the same way the very first audience did? With awe, and sometimes anger?
- In this performance, audience members are invited to imagine they’ve never heard of, or heard little of, this composer Ludwig van Beethoven. And to discover some things about him, but most importantly, listen to his music for the first time.
Artists
Minnesota Orchestra
Sarah Hicks
conductor
Sam Bergman
music and creative partner
The Grammy Award-winning Minnesota Orchestra, now in its second century, ranks among America’s top symphonic ensembles, with a distinguished history of acclaimed performances in its home state and around the world; award-winning recordings, broadcasts and educational engagement programs; and a commitment to intentionally build concert programs to feature more works by composers of color, exploring music both contemporary and historic. In September 2024, Danish conductor Thomas Søndergård begins his second season as music director.
Sarah Hicks is the Minnesota Orchestra’s principal conductor of Live at Orchestra Hall, a role in which she oversees planning for and conducts many concerts in the broad-spectrum series of popular music, jazz, Broadway classics, movie scores and other genres. She also conducted the Inside the Classics and Sam & Sarah series for ten seasons.
Violist Sam Bergman joined the Minnesota Orchestra in 2000. Born in Boston, he grew up primarily in small-town Pennsylvania, studying violin and viola with members of the Boston Symphony Orchestra and Philadelphia Orchestra. He attended Oberlin Conservatory in Ohio, studying viola with Jeffrey Irvine and Lynne Ramsey, and was a member of the Alabama Symphony Orchestra before coming to Minneapolis. Since 2005, he has produced, written and hosted more than 40 original narrated shows for the Minnesota Orchestra, many with conductor Sarah Hicks for the Orchestra’s Inside the Classics series.
Your Concert Experience
Join us for Q&A’s, hosted discussions, exhibits and more. All free with your concert ticket!
Sounds + Bites
Come early and stay late for Sounds + Bites: special food experiences and free entertainment by outstanding local performers on the magnificent Peavey Plaza. Enjoy a cocktail beside the reflecting pool during our $5 Happy Hour while you listen. Learn more.
In the Heart of the Beast Puppet and Mask Theatre
ExhibitWhere: Balcony A Lobby
In the Heart of the Beast Puppet and Mask Theatre uses water, flour, newspaper, paint, and unlimited imagination to tell stories that explore the struggles and celebrations of human existence. Come see themed displays of puppets created by HOBT artists; from large dragon masks to a collection of winged creatures!
Video: Behind the Scenes of The Moving Company's Immortal Beethoven
Accessibility Services
- Assistive Listening Devices
- Large Print Programs
- Service Animals
- Wheelchair & Accessible Seating
Additional services are available upon request.
Sponsors
The Creative Partner position is supported by Marilyn and Glen Nelson.
