On Beethoven and Bridgetower
“It’s a passionate and sweepingly epic work , but there’s also drama off stage in what is arguably Beethoven’s most loved and performed violin sonata [No. 9, Op. 47 in A major]. In our first collaboration with Belvoir St Theatre, we explore the drama, passion and scandal surrounding this masterpiece, and the interconnected fates of those that came after it: Tolstoy’s story of jealousy and murder, and Janáček’s First String Quartet, both bearing the title The Kreutzer Sonata. Known as The Kreutzer for its dedication to the violinist Rodolphe Kreutzer (who likely never played this difficult, titanic work), what has been lost in history is its original dedication to George Bridgetower – a far more accomplished violinist of mixed European and West Indian descent, and a kindred spirit to Beethoven – who performed with the composer at the Sonata’s premiere... However, in its success lay its downfall. While celebrating with a drink (or three) Beethoven and Bridgetower spectacularly fell out, and Bridgetower’s name was removed from the dedication, and from history.”
Attended this performance by the Australian Chamber Orchestra last night here in Newcastle. An eerie feeling to be in a theatre again after 2020’s hiatus, but a reminder of how live performance lingers in the mind over days. The theme threaded through the mashup of compositions seemed to me to be the manifold inspiration of music. In this case, a forgotten encounter between composer and virtuoso (Beethoven and Bridgetower) rippled out to other composers (Janácek), authors (Tolstoy), and audiences. What is to explain how one work goes on to inspire the ACO to now reclaim the Kreutzer Sonata’s original attribution as the Bridgetower? I suppose thinking about it the day after, the performance offered a kind of catharsis, an honest response to a year experienced as diverse facets of tragedy. Such honesty may make one hopeful, even if for a brief moment, that this year may be better than the last. - aco.com.au/whats-on/2021/beethoven-and-bridgetower.
