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ConTempo series celebrates Beethoven’s unique genius

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“Beethoven is a monumental composer, and it’s every musicians’ duty to try and play some of his music,” says Ingrid Nicola of Galway’s Quartet in Residence ConTempo about the renowned German composer.

And that’s just what ConTempo will be doing when the quartet embark on a Beethoven project this Saturday, April 25, in St Nicholas’ Collegiate Church in the City.

Over the course of three concerts, on April 25, May 2 and May 9, they will present a selection of Beethoven’s compositions for string quartets. These will range from his early works to one of his last, written shortly before he died.

“Beethoven is terrifying for me, because he is so human, but he was the composer who succeeded in a brilliant way in overcoming that human condition,” says Ingrid, who plays violin with ConTempo.

Beethoven, born in 1770, was a key figure in the transition between the Classic and Romantic eras and an extraordinary composer, she adds.

“He was human. He was angry, upset, nervous, and mad, but as a composer he was able to overcome all these conditions in a majestic way,” says Ingrid. “I always say Mozart’s music is the music of angels, but Beethoven’s music is human music brought to heaven.”

As a listener, “you can live his life through his music,” she adds.

The ConTempo viola player Andreea Banciu agrees.

“Haydn is the father of string quartet, but Beethoven was revolutionary. He was a free spirit and revolutionised the whole approach to music.”

He is, adds Andreea, her favourite composer.

“The emotions in his music are so powerful they make me cry. Being able to play his music is wonderful for us, because Beethoven has always been present in our lives.”

ConTempo was formed in Romania 20 years ago when Ingrid and Andreea, who were studying at Bucharest Music University – teamed up with fellow students Bogdan Sofei (violin) and Adrian Mantu (cello) – and began performing professionally.

They have played Beethoven’s music as a quartet since then, including in competitions, Andreea adds.

For cellist Adrian Mantu, Beethoven was a musician “who broke all the rules” as he travelled on a unique journey.

For more, read this week’s Galway City Tribune.

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