LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN – 250th ANNIVERSARY!

We hereby have the honour of inviting you to the great anniversary! Ludwig van Beethoven was born in Bonn in 1770, and in 2020 the whole musical world is looking forward to celebrating his 250th birthday. What unbelievable musical gifts he gave us – what energy – and what emotions! His creativity turned the whole musical world upside down – it was a kind of “a point of no return” through his work. We therefore would like to invite you to a musical and historical celebration

TO BEethoven – or not TO BEethoven!

From the opening ceremony in the world’s first and only sensory church – Tomaskirken at the centre for deaf people at Signo in Andebu – 29th of January to Beethoven’s birthday on the 16th of December, you may join us on a unique musical journey. In solo, chamber and orchestral concerts with the finest of Norwegian musicians – and with guests from Beethoven’s two cities Bonn and Vienna – you are invited to take part in the biggest birthday party we have ever arranged!

It’s pure joy – FREUDE!

Tickets available from the middle of January.

Have a look at The Story of Kulturelt Initiativ on YouTube.

OUR INITIATIVES 2020

TO BEETHOVEN –
OR NOT TO BEETHOVEN

Ludwig van Beethoven is one of the greatest musical geniuses the world has ever seen. He was born on the 16th of December 1770, and the whole musical world are now looking forward to celebrating his 250th anniversary through his unique musical creations! He, and his compositions are the most often played classical music in the whole world – year after year!

Pastoral Project
B 3 C

Beethoven loved nature, and his 6th symphony – the Pastoral Symphony – expresses this love! On the World Environmental Day – the 5th of June 2020 – The United Nations and Beethoven-Haus cooperate on the Beethoven Pastoral Project – A global statement for the preservation of nature – where they focus on the challenges of the 21st century, including the climate crisis, through Beethoven’s lovely music. António Guterres – Secretary-General of the UN – is the patron of the project.

MIDTÅSEN CULTURE –
AND CHILDREN FESTIVAL

Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata is one of the most popular pieces in the classical repertoire. So we were really excited when we experienced that July’s full moon is concurrent with the opening of Midtåsen Culture Festival on the 5th of July 2020. And delighted over the possibility of playing the Piano Sonata no. 14, opus 27, no. 2 in c- sharp minor – Quasi una fantasia – while the full moon passes over the summer sky and colours the fjord in gold!

PROGRAMME

WEDNESDAY 27 JANUARY

Opening Ceremony – Tomaskirken, Signo in Andebu
Lecture recital – Tor Espen Aspaas, piano

SATURDAY 15 FEBRUARY

The Heroic Concert
The Eroica symphony and the Emperor Concert
Håvard Gimse, piano – Vestfold symphony orchestra
Hjertnes kulturhus 18.00

SUNDAY 16 FEBRUARY

The 3 B-s! Beethoven, Bonaparte and Bernadotte
Lecture and music – Nora Taksdal
Gobelin-gallery, Scandic Park Sandefjord 18.00

SUNDAY 15 MARCH

Oslo String Quartet
Beethoven and Britten
Den Grønne Sal, Scandic Park Sandefjord 18.00

SUNDAY 19 APRIL

Grieg Trio
Beethoven and Shostakovich – piano trios
Arnebergstuen, Midtåsen 18.00

SUNDAY 10 MAY

Beethoven Spring Sonata etc.
Guro K. Hagen, violin, Håvard Gimse, piano
Stokke Church 18.00

FRIDAY 29 MAY – MONDAY 1 JUNE*

Beethoven Whit Festival – Tor Espen Aspaas, piano
The 32 Piano Sonatas – in 6 concerts
Den Grønne Sal, Scandic Park Sandefjord

*Friday 29.05 at 19.00 – Saturday 30.05 and Sunday 31.05 at 12.00 and 18.00 – Monday 01.06 at 12.00

For the Pastoral Project and B 3 C on the 5th and 6th of June – and Midtåsen Culture- and Children Festival in the period from the 5th till the 19th of July, please see separate information.