Luther College presents “Beethoven Celebration Concert” as part of the Faculty Artist Series

Luther College music faculty members are kicking off the fall 2020 Faculty Artist Series with a special virtual "Beethoven Celebration Concert" at 4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 6. Everyone is invited to view the live streamed event at luther.edu/events under the event listing. There is no charge for viewing.

            The program will commemorate the 250^th anniversary of Beethoven's birth, and will include Lieder, solo piano works and the 3^rd Symphony, as arranged by Ferdinand Ries for piano quartet.

            "The music of Ludwig van Beethoven is among the most frequently performed in the classical music cannon. Many performing ensembles have planned a season in 2020 that includes a tribute to Beethoven, and this concert represents our tribute to the music of the master composer," says Spencer Martin, performer and professor of music. "The repertoire for this program provides a more intimate and diverse look at Beethoven through the lens of his less frequently performed Lieder, a stormy 'Theme and Variations' for solo piano, and a most unusual transcription of his 'Symphony No. 3' by one of his peers, composer/pianist Ferdinand Ries."   

            Faculty members performing include Nicholas Shaneyfelt, piano; Beth Ray, mezzo-soprano; Xiao Hu, piano; Du Huang, piano; Andrew Whitfield, baritone; Igor Kalnin, violin; Kacy Clopton, cello; and Spencer Martin, viola.

Luther is home to one of the largest collegiate music programs in the nation, with five choirs, three orchestras, three bands, two jazz bands and more than 800 student musicians. Luther students participate in large ensembles, faculty-coached chamber groups, private lessons and master classes. Nearly 275 music majors study music theory, ear training, history, education, composition, jazz, church music and performance.

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