This summer, the Yakima Symphony Orchestra presents its inaugural Summer Chamber Music Series. The Yakima Symphony String Quartet, an ensemble of the symphony’s most skillful string musicians, will perform Beethoven’s beloved string quartets.
Concertmaster Denise Dillenbeck reflects on the rich history and musical significance of these foundational pieces of the classical music repertoire:
“The Opus 18 quartets reveal young Beethoven moving into the musical house of Haydn and Mozart, making it his own. A fire flickers in the fireplace, a desk in the study, all used as the builder intended. But the curtains are drawn, and fresh air blows through the windows, bringing new life with it.
Count Andrei Razumovsky was a Russian ambassador to Vienna as well as a fine amateur violinist. In 1806, he commissioned Beethoven to write three quartets, Opus 59, Nos. 1-3.
With these pieces, Beethoven doesn’t exactly demolish the house of the Opus 18 quartets, but he does start smashing some walls down to make more space. He moves in some beautiful Russian furniture, letting us enjoy the scent of caviar and rich tea boiled in the samovar, using Russian melodies as a nod to Razumovsky.
Opus 59, No. 1 is longer than Beethoven’s earlier quartets, giving him room to tell his story. There is a drive and intensity behind this midlife music because he had confronted his hearing loss and decided he wasn’t going to let deafness stop him from fulfilling his destiny.
The soulful Russian melodies he employs are perfect vessels for this fervor and joy.
By 1826, 20 years later, Beethoven was wrung out. He had survived Napoleon’s occupations of Vienna, written nine symphonies, 16 quartets, an opera and much more.
He had waged a long, ugly custody battle over his nephew Karl, who eventually attempted suicide. During Karl’s recuperation, Beethoven wrote his last quartet, Opus 135, dying a few months later.
It’s concise and playful, but with a slow movement at its heart that expresses grief, exhaustion and tenderness. The revelation that happens upon reflecting on a life full of courage, pain and love.
He inscribed ‘Must it be?’ over the finale, followed by ‘It must be!’ telling his publisher this because finishing it was so difficult.
It’s hard not to hear deeper echoes about life in that final question, the one we all face before we’re done. You can hear buoyancy and grace in his musical answer as the piece finishes.”
A companion lecture series led by historian Dr. Jeffrey Snedeker accompanies each weekend of chamber music concerts. For the full concert and event schedule, visit YSOmusic.org.
• Violinist Denise Dillenbeck is celebrated for her radiant tone, artistic insight, and “superlative” performances (Tacoma News Tribune). She serves as concertmaster of the Yakima Symphony Orchestra, York Symphony Orchestra, Lake Chelan Bach Festival, and Northwest Sinfonietta.
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