An unmistakable commitment to humanity characterises this extraordinary concert evening, which blends Margot Friedländer’s unwavering appeal, ‘Be human’, with Ludwig van Beethoven’s visionary call for global unity.
The first part of the evening is devoted entirely to inner contemplation. The focus is on the contemplative choral works of Kim André Arnesen and Arvo Pärt. The organ improvisations take up their themes and weave them into a universal, timeless message of peace.
After the interval comes a striking contrast: the third and fourth movements of Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony are performed in the historic version arranged by Beethoven’s pupil Carl Czerny for piano four-hands. What makes this arrangement so special is its uncompromising, almost percussive intensity: Freed from the dense mass of the orchestra, a relentless architectural force unfolds on the piano, making every rhythmic heartbeat, every dramatic outburst and the raw, pure energy of the masterpiece audible with gripping clarity. The renowned pianist Nare Karoyan and the multi-award-winning pianist Florian Noack merge at the instrument to form a mighty orchestral unit, unleashing a relentless tour de force across the keys. Together with the vocal ensemble Les Lumières, conducted by Michel Rychlinski, Beethoven’s immortal dream of freedom becomes a stirring experience.
Featuring Les Lumières, Nare Karoyan & Florian Noack. (Source: IDO Festival)
