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." 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