New Mexico Symphony Stages Beethoven Festival

The reasons for devoting a wide swath of the NMSO’s season to honor one composer are obvious, says Mexico Symphony Orchestra Music Director Guillermo Figueroa. “Beethoven is the greatest composer that ever lived, in my opinion and that of many musicians, scholars and music-lovers. He appears unquestionably as the central figure in the history of music, a colossus that strides and bridges music’s past and future, who needs to be encountered and experienced repeatedly and often.” He adds, “Living as we are in turbulent times, the lessons of Beethoven are particularly timely. His lifelong struggles, both inward and outward are more relevant than ever.”

The festival begins with a one-night-only performance of Beethoven’s Symphony No. 1 at the Albuquerque Academy’s Simms Center for the Performing Arts, Jan. 17 at 8 p.m. The concert also features Mozart’s Divertimeno in D Major, as well as the NMSO’s own Ryan Walter as soloist for Frank Proto’s A Carmen Fantasy for Double Bass and Orchestra.

The festival moves to a larger venue as renowned pianist and From The Top host Christopher O’Riley performs Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 5 – better known as the Emperor Concerto – in three performances Jan. 23 and 24 at the University of New Mexico’s Popejoy Hall, and Jan. 25 at the National Hispanic Cultural Center. This program also features Ravel’s Le Tombeau de Couperin and Roberto Sierra’s Sinfonia No. 3, La Salsa.

Then, the Mexico Symphony Orchestra performs what is arguably Beethoven’s best-known work: the Fifth Symphony. That all-time great symphony is featured with Beethoven’s Concerto for Violin, Cello and Piano (known as the “Triple Concerto”). Guillermo Figueroa conducts three members of his family: his sister Ivonne Figueroa on piano, brother Narciso Figueroa on violin and cousin Rafael Figueroa on cello. Performances of this program are Jan. 30 and 31 at Popejoy Hall, and Feb. 1 at NHCC.

Another Beethoven symphony – his Symphony No. 8 – takes center stage at the next Classics Series performances. Also, Maestro Figueroa trades the conductor’s baton for the violin, joining percussionist Simon Boyar as soloists on Harold Farberman’s Double Concerto for Violin and Percussion, written for and about Figueroa. The Adagio from Beethoven’s Hammerklavier Sonata is also featured in these concerts, Feb. 27 and 28 at Popejoy, and March 1 at NHCC. Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra and American Symphony Orchestra Music Director Leon Botstein conducts.

The centerpiece concert for the Beethoven Festival takes place at Popejoy Hall on March 7 as the Mexico Symphony Orchestra presents a special one-night-only concert devoted to Beethoven’s piano works. Called Beethoven & Friends, pianists Awadagin Pratt and Orli Shaham each take the stage to perform a Beethoven piano concerto with Pratt taking on Piano Concerto No. 3 and Shaham soloing on Piano Concerto No. 4. The nationally acclaimed NMSO Chorus also takes the stage with Pratt to perform the finale from Beethoven’s Fantasy in C Minor for Piano, Chorus and Orchestra.

The festival concludes with the work Beethoven considered his greatest achievement: Missa Solemnis. This best-kept secret of classical music will be the sole work on the program at three performances featuring the Mexico Symphony Orchestra Chorus, March 20 and 21 at Popejoy Hall, and March 22 at NHCC. “There are so many sides to the truly spiritual Beethoven,” says NMSO Chorus Director Roger Melone. “It has been said that in the Ninth Symphony, Beethoven makes a religion of humanity. But I feel that in the Missa Solemnis, Beethoven makes humanity of religion.” -- www.nmso.org