Beethoven Plus
Beethoven in the 21st century.
"I genuinely found myself listening to the Beethoven with new ears… a delicate balance between depth and playfulness that’s hard to beat amongst contemporary [Beethoven] versions, and the rapport between the players is clear right from the start.” (Stephen Johnson, BBC Music Magazine *****)
Osostowicz and Tong’s interpretative style – patient, affectionate, warmly conversational, sensitive to harmonic detail – reminds me of Schneiderhan and Kempff’s classic mid-50’s set… these are thoroughly engaging performances. The whole of Op. 12 abounds with freshness and fun. I even found myself tickled to share the audience’s audible delight at the magical way Osostowicz and Tong play the end of Op 12 No 2. I think I may have sighed with pleasure myself.” (Gramophone Magazine)
Beethoven Plus
In 2015, Krysia Osostowicz and Daniel Tong set out to present a Beethoven Sonata cycle with a difference. They commissioned ten composers to write short partner pieces, one for each of the Beethoven Violin Sonatas. Premiering the complete cycle at Kings Place in London, Krysia and Daniel went on to perform these works in Aberdeen, Sheffield, Cambridge and Oxford, culminating in a cycle at the magnificent Cedars Hall in Wells which was recorded live for SOMM Recordings.
Amongst the composers who wrote pieces for the project are Jonathan Dove, David Matthews, Judith Bingham, Huw Watkins, Kurt Schwertsik and Matthew Taylor.
The response to the Beethoven Plus cycle, in its live and recorded versions, is always both enthusiastic and original. Somehow, each of the commissioned works sheds new light upon Beethoven's masterpieces and breathes new life into them. For Beethoven 2027 (the bicentenary of his death), Krysia and Daniel plan to revive the project, adding a couple of exciting new commissions to the mix. Watch this space!
The whole cycle can be presented in three full-length recitals or five shorter ones, but Krysia and Daniel are equally happy to offer a single recital of selected works from Beethoven Plus.
For further information please contact Sarah Trelawny Ford at sarah@cambridgecreativemanagement.co.uk