Hexham Abbey Festival Chorus & Orchestra: Beethoven 1807

Beethoven: Choral Fantasia
Beethoven: Appassionata (piano solo by Martin Roscoe)
Beethoven: Mass in C

1807! With all of Europe at war and his home city of Vienna occupied by Napoleon’s army, Beethoven was at the peak of his power. The music he was writing at this time was heroic, defiant and, despite all the reasons he might have had for feeling despondent, festive.

Both the Mass in C and the Choral Fantasia were premiered in the same epic concert that included the premieres of his 5th and 6th Symphonies. The Mass in C has been singled out by experts for its directness and powerful emotion and ends with music described by Beethoven’s contemporary critic, E.T.A Hoffman, as: “…dissolves, like a sorrow from another world, to unearthly delight."

The concert features a top line-up of vocal soloists performing with the Festival Chorus & Orchestra, conducted by David Murray. Distinguished pianist, Martin Roscoe, performs in the Choral Fantasia and as soloist in Appassionata.

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