'The Beethoven Effect': Chamber Music Northwest to feature composer in Summer Festival

Chamber Music Northwest's 2024 Summer Festival will feature works by Beethoven and other composers inspired by his revolutionary foundations, with more than 70 artists and 60 works, including six premieres and seven commissions.

PORTLAND, Ore. (PORTLAND TRIBUNE) -- Chamber Music Northwest couldn’t have picked a more recognizable classical music composer to feature in its 2024 Summer Festival.

It’s a Ludwig van Beethoven-inspired Summer Festival, featuring works by Beethoven as well as legendary composers and living ones who have been inspired by his revolutionary foundations. With an array of concerts and programs, “The Beethoven Effect” festival takes place June 27-July 28 at city-wide venues such as Kaul Auditorium at Reed College, Mago Hunt Recital Hall at University of Portland, The Reser in Beaverton and The Old Church.

Husband-wife team Gloria Chien and Soovin Kim serve as CMNW artistic directors, and they said in a collective statement that Beethoven broke barriers in achieving greatness.

“Humanity is fortunate to have had great composers and performers throughout history who have gifted our world with music that helps us experience feelings which we struggle to put into words. A few seminal artists among them expanded the possibilities of the art form and inspired future generations to dream bigger,” they said. “Perhaps no composer shattered more musical barriers than Ludwig van Beethoven. The ‘Beethoven Effect’ festival will not only include some of Beethoven’s important chamber works, but will also feature many composers whose imaginations were sparked by his musical revolution. Each week will focus on the ways in which Beethoven expanded instrumental sounds, virtuosity, musical temperament, and the piano.”

It’s a five-week festival that includes more than 70 artists and chamber musicians, six premieres, seven CMNW commissions and more than 60 works. The music features piano, horn, percussion, winds and strings.

Read more at PortlandTribune.com.

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