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Beethoven: Hero/Rebel

London, Southbank Centre's Queen Elizabeth Hall

Thursday 27 February 2025, 7pm

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Music

BEETHOVEN
Violin Concerto
Symphony No. 3 ‘Eroica’
Guest Artists

Vilde Frang violin
Maxim Emelyanychev conductor

Price

£15 - £64 (Premium £85)

As the dream of liberty promised by Napoleon crumbled to dust, Beethoven faced his own personal struggles.

Maxim Emelyanychev and Vilde Frang join us in two works that capture the rebellious spirit and heroism of the time.

What does it mean to be a hero or a rebel?

That question may well have been in Beethoven’s mind in the early years of the 19th Century as the macro-politics of the day seemed to clash with his mental health struggles. In 1802 Beethoven had written to his brothers distressed by his developing deafness. In the following years, Napoleon’s campaign to liberate Europe from tyrannous monarchies sparked hope in the composer.

"Listening to her is somehow liberating and therefore so enjoyable - especially since it captivates one entirely."

NEUE ZURCHER ZEITUNG ON VILDE FRANG

He dedicated his Symphony No. 3 to the consul, but before the work was performed in public, Napoleon declared himself Emperor. Beethoven famously eradicated the dedication from the cover page of the Symphony’s manuscript, declaring “So he is no more than a common mortal! Now he, too, will tread underfoot all the rights of man and indulge only his ambition” (according to Ferdinand Ries, at least).

Both the ‘Eroica’ (Heroic) Symphony and Violin Concerto, rebelled against contemporary expectations of what a symphony or concerto should be. Both are unprecedentedly epic, taking the performers to the edge of their resources. Here is where mettle is tested, the place where rebels become heroes.

Our heroes-in-chief today will be Norwegian superstar Vilde Frang and Maxim Emelyanychev, returning to conduct the OAE following acclaimed collaborations in Saint-Saëns, Grieg and Sibelius.

Part of Southbank Centre Season 2024/25.

Pre-concert Talk: What’s so heroic about Beethoven?
6.00pm in the Queen Elizabeth Hall Foyer
Dr Robert Samuels from the Open University introduces the pieces in tonight’s concert.

Violinist Vilde Frang wearing a blue dress sitting in front of a mirror — Vilde Frang © Marco Borggreve

Download programme

Beethoven: Hero/Rebel programme

PDF, 13.75mb

A student participating in an open workshop with violinist Matthew Truscott and other members of the OAE

Japanese conductor Masaaki Suzuki conducts the OAE with singer Florian Stortz

OAE musicians run a workshop in a school classroom

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This event is supported by

Julian and Annette Armstrong

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Beethoven: Hero/Rebel

London, Southbank Centre's Queen Elizabeth Hall

Thursday 27 February 2025, 7pm

Event detail

As the dream of liberty promised by Napoleon crumbled to dust, Beethoven faced his own personal struggles.

"Listening to her is somehow liberating and therefore so enjoyable - especially since it captivates one entirely."

Download programme

Beethoven: Hero/Rebel programme

Did you know you can support the OAE?

This event is supported by

This event is supported by

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