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Pre-Concert Talk: Beethoven Symphony No. 2

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Pre Concert Talk: Vaughan Williams, Fantasia on a Theme of Thomas Tallis

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Beethoven Symphony No. 2

concert info

Symphony No. 2
Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827)
Adagio molto – Allegro con brio
Larghetto
Scherzo: Allegro
Allegro molto

Beethoven composed his Second Symphony in 1802 – a year of great emotional angst. His hearing had begun to deteriorate, and on the advice of doctors he took time away from Vienna and visited the small town of Heiligenstadt. He unloaded his mental anguish about his impending deafness in a letter to his brothers – the famed “Heiligenstadt Testament.” Remarkably, in the same period he produced this work, which has been described as surprising happy, carefree and innocently sunny. The first performance was directed by the composer in a concert in Vienna on April 5, 1803.

The Victoria Symphony performs on the traditional lands of the Lekwungen peoples and acknowledges with respect the Songhees, Esquimalt and WSÁNEĆ peoples whose historical relationships with the land continues to this day. We extend our appreciation for the opportunity to live, create, and perform on this territory.

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Beethoven Symphony No. 2

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