Eva Sjöstrand A passionate and uncompromising composer 26 January 2018

Programme

Before the performance Alae Eva Sjöstrand lectures on Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827), German composer mainly associated with Viennese classicism, although his later works are composed in a more romantic style.

For most people, he is known for his temperamental Symphony No. 5, known as the Symphony of Destiny, whose recognisable theme is used extensively to illustrate dramatically decisive moments.

There were other sides to Beethoven, however, and he not only wrote titanic, doom-laden works but was a great lyricist. He often had many compositions in progress at the same time and worked on themes over long periods of time, often during walks. His main works are of a highly poetic, romantic nature, notably the Violin Concerto in D major and the Piano Concerto in G major.

Naturally, Beethoven was characterised by his deafness both as a composer and as a private individual - many have described him as suspicious of the world, surly and not always easy to get along with. He was a freedom-loving and outspoken character with strong opinions that he was happy to express in the harshly repressive police state that was Vienna and Austria during his lifetime. He often spoke his mind in all sorts of public settings and it was not uncommon for his friends to step in and save the day. His position as a freelance visionary composer meant great vulnerability but also a necessary freedom. His compositions include themes such as the fight for freedom, the brotherhood of man and liberalism, most notably in the famous Symphony No 9, the last movement of which has been adopted as the official anthem of the European Union. Hymn to joy.

During his lifetime, Beethoven became a very famous person - a hero and a bearer of new ideas. Over 20 000 people joined his funeral procession.

About the choreographer

Eva Sjöstrand

Journalist, author, SR producer, "Gotländskan i P2". In Lördagsmorgon i P2, Eva talks about forgotten and famous artists and plays forgotten and famous harmonic music. Music, which according to Karin Boye is "the most mysterious of all arts, it goes directly from feeling to feeling". Eva has written around 15 books, several song lyrics, texts for folk music dramas Volund and Raffle and the Riksteatern play Light.Gullin.

Photo: Henrik Wallenius