2020 is famously the 250th anniversary of Beethoven’s birth, and musical artists and organizations worldwide have been planning festive and elaborate tributes. Andrea Moore explores the ways that anniversary years are used to commemorate — and, at the same time, promote — some of classical music’s most canonic composers. How does this tradition shape and illuminate our understanding of these composers and their legacies?
Beginning with Beethoven’s 200th birthday, in 1970, we will focus especially on Beethoven and Bach celebrations from the last fifty years. Featured listening will include selections from a number of contemporary works that respond to these composers, including a series of 250 piano pieces commissioned for ‘Beethoven 2020’, and works by Louis Andriessen (Beethoven year 1970), Osvaldo Golijov (Bach year 2000), Mauricio Kagel (Bach year 1985), and more.
