Jonathan Biss — Celebrating Beethoven, Part 1: Redux

In Celebrating Beethoven, Part 1: Redux, acclaimed pianist Jonathan Biss presents a special performance of the composer's piano sonatas in the intimate setting of our 238-seat Studio Theatre. In November, due to illness, Biss was unable to perform Celebrating Beethoven, Part 1 but he has graciously agreed to perform this program in its entirety while in Seattle for Celebrating Beethoven, Part 2.

Considered one of the great Beethoven interpreters of our time, Biss has embarked on a nine-year project to record all 32 of the composer’s piano sonatas, as well as having created Coursera’s popular open online course, Exploring Beethoven’s Piano Sonatas. This concert continues our 250th anniversary celebration of Beethoven and showcases the remarkable variety of expression in these works, focusing on the dramatic Opus 7 with its tremendous confidence and optimism; the “Tempest” full of mystery and ambiguity; and the “Appassionata,” a furious, remorseless descent into darkness. 

PLEASE NOTE: 
This performance will be in the Studio Theatre of Meany Hall (not the Katharyn Alvord Gerlich Theater). It is general admission seating.

PROGRAM | Piano Sonatas Part I 

BEETHOVEN: Sonata No. 4 in E-flat Major, Op. 7 “Grand Sonata”

BEETHOVEN: Sonata No. 17 in D Minor, Op. 31, No. 2 "Tempest"

BEETHOVEN: Sonata No. 5 in C Minor, Op. 10, No. 1

BEETHOVEN: Sonata No 23 in F Minor, Op. 57 "Appassionata"

President's Piano Series generously underwritten by Eric and Margaret Rothchild