Beethoven, one of the most famous and beloved composers of the Classical era, features throughout Swindon Recital Series’ programme this year, in celebration of the recent (but Covid-interrupted) 250th anniversary of his birth.
SRS is known for delivering superior professional musicianship, which on this occasion will be provided by Sara Stagg violin and Paul Turner piano.
Sara combines making solo appearances with many different orchestras with being leader of several orchestras, leading violinist with the Bath Spa Quartet, work with operas, tutoring and her responsibilities as Head of Strings at Marlborough College.
Paul Turner is well-known to Swindon audiences as the Founder and Artistic Director of SRS as well as a much-loved solo performer and accompanist.
The Lunchtime Recital at the Wyvern Theatre on November 10th features his Violin Sonata no.7 in C minor Op.30 No.2, written in 1802, one of only ten violin sonatas that he composed. Said to be one of the grandest sonatas in the violinist’s repertory, it is a work of drama, passion and power, written as Beethoven became ever more aware of his increasing deafness, that even today demands superior musicianship.
Also on the programme is Grieg’s Violin Sonata No.1 in F major Op.8, written when the composer was still only 22 years old – he wrote only three in total. Upon seeing this score Franz Liszt was so taken by it he immediately invited the young composer to visit him, a huge boost for both Grieg’s reputation and for public awareness of his abilities. The piece offers charm and freshness and, though described by a fellow Norwegian composer as ‘the work of a youth who has known only the sunny side of life’, it also contains many instances of stark contrast between bright optimism and turbulence.
Sara and Paul appear at the Wyvern Theatre, Swindon, on Wednesday November 10th at 1.05 pm. Tickets £7 (plus theatre administrative fee of 50p), accompanied children (14 and under) free.
