Beethoven String Quartet Performance and Lecture Series Featuring Joel
Berman & Friends
FAES Graduate School at National Intitutes of Health, Bethesda, MD
Course #GENL 158, 2 credits or audit
Mondays, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
This is a performance-lecture series presenting the entire cycle of sixteen
Beethoven String Quartets in an historically unique format invented by the
instructor. This popular and innovative series was presented on the NIH
campus in Spring & Fall 2001, and at the Washington Conservatory in Spring
2002.
All the quartets are performed live. Each quartet performance is preceded
by a lecture outlining structural features of the quartet that are unique
to the work and which serve to unify each piece from beginning to end.
Beethoven's invention of motivic (DNA-like) imprinting of each work is
demonstrated. In addition, some new discoveries of a stylistic nature,
which act as unifying features, are also presented. An outline of each
quartet will be distributed to each student.
The lectures are intended for all music lovers who may not be able to read
music, as well as for professional chamber music performers. Registration
is open to the public. Classes are on Mondays unless otherwise noted.
Tues, Sept 17 Opus 18, #1 Tues, Nov 12 Opus 95
Mon, Sept 23 Opus 18, #2 and #3 Mon, Nov 18 Opus 127
Mon, Sept 30 Opus 18, #5 and #4 Mon, Nov 25 Opus 132
Mon, Oct 7 Opus 18, #6 Mon, Dec 2 Grosse Fuge, Opus 133
Tues, Oct 15 Opus 59, #1 Mon, Dec 9 Opus 130 w/ Grosse Fuge
Mon, Oct 21 Opus 59, #2 Mon, Dec 16 Opus 130 w/ 2nd Finale
Mon, Oct 28 Opus 59, #3 Mon, Jan 6 '03 Opus 131
Mon, Nov 4 Opus 74 Mon, Jan 14 '03 Opus 135
REGISTRATION INFORMATION
For registration information, call the Foundation for Advanced Education
in the Sciences, Inc. (FAES) at (301) 496-7976. It's possible to register
at the class, but you must call in advance. You can also register in
person at FAES on the NIH Campus in Building 60, Suite 230.
Comments from people who have attended the series:
"The course made Monday evenings a high point of each week. The
players conveyed such infectious joy in making music together.
Thanks to the insights and ways of listening that Joel taught us,
I can listen more intelligently not only to these quartets, but
also to other works, even by other composers."
"It was such a pleasure hearing all of those wonderful quartets and
to learn of the intricacies involved in the construction of each
one. I have a deeper appreciation of Beethoven's genius now that
I have studied Professor Berman's very original method of dissecting
the quartets. It was easy to follow and did not interfere with the
flow of the music. I would recommend the course to anyone who loves
music. The methodology is simple and easy to follow, requiring no
expertise in music, but contributing greatly to all future appreciation
of the art."
"I took the 'Joel Berman and Friends' course on the Beethoven
Quartets as a music appreciation endeavor. Since I am not schooled
in music, I did not expect that I would get much more out of the
course than being exposed to these works as an integrated musical
experience. Despite the fact that the presentations were directed
more to 'musicians' than to 'listeners' I came away with a heightened
understanding of the musical evolution of the quartets. Above all,
the performances were great and I continue to refer to the program
notes [outlines] which were used in the course; they add to my
listening enjoyment as I replay the quartets at home."
"The eighteen Mondays I spent at the Beethoven Quartet series with
Joel, Alice and crew were among the most memorable in a life already
filled with listening to and performing music. Delving into the
patterns, the melodies, and the intricacies of the quartets was
enriching and uplifting. All music lovers should have the opportunity
to share in this experience."
"What other experience could have justified being on Rockville Pike
during rush hour on Monday afternoon? The Beethoven Quartet series
is a gem!"
"As an attorney with no previous formal knowledge or training
in music, I found the instruction offered by Prof. Berman both
intellectually absorbing and, frankly, revelatory of Beethoven's
style and technique. Moreover, the proficiency, esprit de corps
and sheer stamina of the 'Berman Quartet' was a marvel! The
enthusiasm and dedication of the Quartet, together with Prof.
Berman's exhaustive grasp of the internal dynamics of the individual
quartets, constituted a weekly event of epiphanic quality! The
emotional, intellectual and spiritual richness of this experience
will remain a benchmark for the possibilities of appreciating the
work of a musical genius such as Ludwig van Beethoven. How, when
and where do I enroll again?"
"The recent concert/lecture series devoted to the Beethoven String
Quartets gave me a chance to revisit these wonderful works in the
company of expert musicians. Joel Berman and his colleagues made
the music and its structure come alive, in an intimate and relaxed
atmosphere. Mr. Berman's love of this music definitely "came
across the footlights." His explanations of the structure of the
music, insightful and respectful, and occasionally even humorous,
made it more accessible.
"I think the most important feeling I got from these concerts is a
sense of renewal - I came away feeling that something of great value
had been shared, and that I was the better for it. I know that
Joel Berman brings a life-long involvement as a violinist, teacher
and chamber musician to these concerts. "Having witnessed at first
hand how appreciative I and other members of the audience have been,
I can only hope that his fine work will find a wider audience."
For more information, email [log in to unmask] or check the website
http://www.skatersedgemag.com
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