Events

IVO POGORELIĆ, Piano

Ludwig van Beethoven:

Sonata No. 8 in C minor, op. 13, Pathetic

Sonata No. 17 in D minor, op. 31, no. 2, Storm

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Bagatelle in D major, op. 33, no. 6

Bagatelle in E flat major, op. 126, no. 3

Sonata No. 23 in F minor, op. 57, Appassionata

 

For many a year now, the Zagreb audience has been privileged to experience an evening with Ivo Pogorelić at Lisinski Hall every season. One of the lessons learned from that experience is that there are no repetitions in Pogorelić's interpretations. The music pieces that he revisits, whether after several years or several decades, are presented to us in a new light each time, like familiar landscapes in different seasons.

 

This time, the maestro opted exclusively for Ludwig van Beethoven. Among his 32 piano sonatas, Sonata No. 8 in C minor, op. 13, Pathetic, reflects the composer's intense inner struggles. These emotions come to the fore in extreme dynamics, a wide range of tonalities and technical virtuosity, as well as in the frequent use of short motifs, characteristic of Beethoven's expressive style.

Sonata No. 17 in D minor, op. 31, no. 2, The Tempest, is one of the first works of Beethoven's middle creative period, in which the composer reaches artistic maturity. Beethoven, according to some interpretations, found inspiration for this sonata in Shakespeare's play The Tempest, although there are other explanations for the name of the composition. Interestingly, this is Beethoven's only sonata in the key of D minor, which he rarely used, but he entrusted with his monumental work, the Ninth Symphony.

Beethoven composed bagatelles, or as he called them himself, Kleinigkeiten ("trifles") for piano throughout his creative life. Opus 33, a cycle of seven bagatelles, was created in 1801 and 1802 and is an expression of his earlier creative period. Despite their simple dance and poetic forms, they show exceptional refinement.

Six Bagatelles for Piano, op. 126, Beethoven composed in 1824, in the last years of his work. Two years earlier, in a difficult financial situation, he turned to his brother Johann for help. Although his brother gave him support, their business relationship ended in conflict. To make up for debts, Beethoven composed this cycle, dedicating it to his brother despite their disagreements. These compositions are not only his last cycle of bagatelles, but also the most refined and technically demanding work of this genre, the symbolic end of Beethoven's contribution to short forms.

Sonata No. 23 in F minor, op. 57, the famous Appassionata, is one of the most magnificent achievements of piano literature, an indispensable part of the repertoire of all great pianists. Composed between 1804 and 1806, this sonata combines passionate energy and heroic spirit, making it a masterpiece that transcends the boundaries of its time. Appassionata not only reflects Beethoven's ability to imbue music with a deep emotional charge, but also testifies to a genius who constantly pushed the boundaries of human creativity and left an indelible mark on the history of musical art.