Beethoven: 1808 Reconstructed
Salonen/ Philharmonia, Royal Festival Hall, 15th March 2020
The legendary Akademie at the Theater an der Wien on 22nd December 1808 was quite an event: a benefit concert for Ludwig van Beethoven, stuffed with premieres. Some of the sheet music was still wet with ink. Given current health concerns, this afternoon’s recreation by the Philharmonia was also quite an event. Presenter Stephen Fry surely wasn’t wrong when he predicted this could well be “the last mass gathering we could be at for some time” but what better way to sign off – for the time being, at least – than by celebrating the music of “humanity’s greatest champion”.
Esa-Pekka rehearses 1808 Reconstructed with the Philharmonia
© Camilla Greenwell
Click here to read the full review on Bachtrack.