Whether youB次元官网网址檙e a longtime admirer of the works of German composer Ludwig Von Beethoven, or simply know his iconic Symphony No. 5 with its simple, yet powerful four-note opening motif, itB次元官网网址檚 hard to refute his impact on the world of classical music.

As such, the Victoria Symphony is one of many groups worldwide this year celebrating Beethoven 250, which marks the 250th anniversary of his birth in Bonn. It will perform all nine of his symphonies in a series of four programs B次元官网网址� five performances B次元官网网址� in March at the Farquhar Auditorium at UVic.

Maestro Christian Kluxen, who has programmed a significant number of Beethoven compositions into the symphonyB次元官网网址檚 repertoire since his arrival in 2016, says more than simply playing some of the composerB次元官网网址檚 most famous works, the performances will spotlight the Victoria SymphonyB次元官网网址檚 approach to the music.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 a great way to show our audience how we play Beethoven, and I think itB次元官网网址檚 a great way to show that Beethoven has become a very important part of the orchestraB次元官网网址檚 repertoire (in recent years),B次元官网网址� Kluxen says. B次元官网网址淚 would say in all humility that we have our own style of doing it, and the Beethoven 250th anniversary seems like a good year to show it off.B次元官网网址�

The series begins Saturday, March 7 (8 p.m.) with the Fifth and Third symphonies.

ALSO READ:

Legend has it that when asked about the first four notes of his Symphony No. 5 in C minor, the composer was said to have replied, B次元官网网址淭his is the sound of fate knocking at the door.B次元官网网址� While the veracity of the quote is questioned by Beethoven experts, the long-lasting impact of this piece of music is undeniable.

Nor surprisingly, tickets for the first instalment in Beethoven 250, featuring what Kluxen calls B次元官网网址渢wo of his bigger symphonies,B次元官网网址� were selling quickly at the time of this writing.

HereB次元官网网址檚 the rest of the schedule:

Thursday, March 12 (8 p.m.) B次元官网网址� Symphonies No. 2, No. 4 and No. 7

Sunday, March 15 (2:30 p.m.) B次元官网网址� Symphonies No. 6 and No. 8

Sunday, March 22 (2:30 p.m.) and Monday, March 23 (8 p.m.) B次元官网网址� Symphonies No. 1 and No. 9

While the Farquhar doesnB次元官网网址檛 possess the old-world charm and character of the Royal Theatre, it has equally good, if not slightly better acoustics for the listener. Says Kluxen: B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 a great hall and itB次元官网网址檚 always a good atmosphere. We have always had good experiences and good concerts there.B次元官网网址�

BeethovenB次元官网网址檚 music is played all over the world B次元官网网址� even in space, Kluxen jokes. While the composerB次元官网网址檚 beautiful and moving piano concertos wonB次元官网网址檛 be played in this series, the symphony maestro encourages people who love or have a curiosity about classical music to check out VictoriaB次元官网网址檚 contribution to Beethoven 250 celebrations.

B次元官网网址滻 think itB次元官网网址檚 an important event that Victoria audiences shouldnB次元官网网址檛 be left out of,B次元官网网址� he says.

For tickets and other information, visit or call 250-385-6815.

editor@mondaymag.com
Like us on and follow us on