Ludwig van Beethoven


The other evening I went to the Concert Hall to listen to Beethoven's three first symphonies. Malmö Symphony Orchestra new conductor, Robert Trevino, is a charismatic person and has created an interesting program for the 2019-20 season. He is a young American conductor, born in 1983. This was my first encounter with him and his interpretation of music. They play all of Beethoven's nine symphonies during four days, in two weeks. Unfortunately, I missed symphonies 4 and 5, due to my hiking weekend!

Beethoven is one of my favourite composers. It is such a treat to hear his music live and with such dedicated musicians and conductor. It was a great evening. I am looking forward to hearing the other symphonies later this week.

I don't know a lot about classical music, but I know what I like. With Beethoven you just can't go wrong. His music is something out of the extraordinary. It takes you to another place, where it is just you and the music, even if you are sitting in a crowded concert hall. It gives you peace of mind.

Considering that Beethoven was deaf during part of his life, it is a wonder how he could compose such beautiful music. In The Mysteries of Beethoven's Hair, Russell Martin and Lydia Nibley tells a stunning tale of how a lock of Beethoven's hair, taken at his death in 1827, travelling through times and wars, finally ends up in the United States, could, with modern technique, determine what he died of, as well as many of the health issues he suffered from during his life time. Very interesting.

In spite of all his health issues, he left us wonderful music and for that we have to be grateful.

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