Beethoven: Hero/Rebel
What does it mean to be a hero or a rebel? The Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment explores works that capture Beethoven’s rebellious spirit and heroism.
Maxim Emelyanychev and Vilde Frang join the OAE for music composed at a time when Beethoven was increasingly distressed by his developing deafness.
As he faced his own personal struggles, Napoleon’s campaign to free Europe from tyrannous monarchies had given him hope.
But when Napoleon declared himself Emperor, the composer famously eradicated the dedication from the cover page of the Symphony’s manuscript, declaring: ‘So he is no more than a common mortal! Now he, too, will tread underfoot all the rights of man and indulge only his ambition’ (according to Ferdinand Ries, at least).
Both the Eroica (Heroic) Symphony and Violin Concerto rebelled against contemporary expectations of what a symphony or concerto should be. Both are unprecedentedly epic, taking the performers to the edge of their resources. Here is where mettle is tested, the place where rebels become heroes.
Emelyanychev returns to conduct the OAE following acclaimed recent collaborations in Saint-Saëns, Grieg and Sibelius.
Performers
Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment
Maxim Emelyanychev conductor
Vilde Frang violin
Repertoire
Beethoven: Violin Concerto
Interval
Beethoven: Symphony No.3 (Eroica)
Need to know
Queen Elizabeth Hall Foyer at 6pm: pre-concert talk (‘What’s so heroic about Beethoven?’) with Dr Robert Samuels from the Open University introducing the pieces in the concert. Admission free.
For your visit
This event is held at the Queen Elizabeth Hall Southbank Centre
The Queen Elizabeth Hall is open from 90 minutes before events start until they finish. It’s closed at all other times.
Plan your visit
The Queen Elizabeth Hall is home to both our second-largest auditorium and the Purcell Room.
Getting here
Our address is Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, London, SE1 8XX.
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Access
We’re working hard to remove barriers, so that our facilities and events can be accessible to as many people as possible.
All help points, toilets, performance and exhibition spaces at the Southbank Centre are accessible to all, as are the cafes, bars and restaurants. We also have excellent public transport links with step-free access.
All information about booking wheelchair spaces, step-free access, blue badge parking, access maps and guides and other help available whilst you’re here, including details about our Access Scheme, can be found on our Access page.
Food & drink
From coffee to cocktails, filling favourites to fine dining, plus some of London’s best street food – it’s all here at the Southbank Centre.