Saleem Abboud Ashkar
BEETHOVEN PIANO SONATAS – SALEEM ABBOUD ASHKAR
Beethoven ’ s status as one of the most important composers of all time is undisputed , the advances in compositional style and form , and a more radical musical sound-world , despite the fact that he battled with profound deafness for much of his career , are all well-known . We explore these aspects of Beethoven ’ s work in the medium he composed for the most – the solo piano .
Northern Sinfonia has performed the complete Beethoven symphonies in two weeks and all the piano concerti in one season , and both the Lindsays and the Belcea Quartet have performed a complete cycle of string quartets . Over several seasons we present the most ambitious of Beethoven ’ s cycles with the complete Piano Sonatas . The 32 sonatas were composed between 1795 and 1822 with almost all being written after the point that Beethoven ’ s hearing began to deteriorate . It is unlikely that they were conceived as a set and it was not until after Beethoven ’ s death that the sonatas were performed in a cycle , by the influential pianist Hans von Bülow . It was Bülow who described the works as “ The New Testament of Music ” with Bach ’ s ‘ The Well-Tempered Clavier ’ being “ The Old Testament ”. Whether planned as a cycle or not , what is clear is that each sonata is in itself a masterpiece and they all regularly feature in the piano recital repertoire .
To take on a cycle of such challenging and intense works takes courage and ambition and an artist who has a complete affinity with the composer . We are delighted to welcome Palestinian-Israeli pianist Saleem Abboud Ashkar , already a master interpreter of Beethoven ’ s work , to take us on this epic musical journey . Championed by Daniel Barenboim , Saleem made his Carnegie Hall debut aged 22 and has performed with the world ’ s leading orchestras and conductors in all the finest concert halls . His interpretation of Beethoven is magical and has been critically acclaimed , Germany ’ s leading newspaper commenting on Saleem as “ A formidable musician … who has a mixture of warmth and clarity , intensity and freshness that simply grabs you : Pure Beethoven joy .” Die Welt .
In this first season , Saleem Abboud Ashkar presents the first two recitals in Hall Two featuring the popular ‘ Moonlight ’ Sonata and his E flat major ‘ Les Adieux ’.
Book tickets early . This is a cycle not to be missed .
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