Looking Over Beethoven’s Shoulder
In 1819, Austrian music publisher Anton Diabelli commissioned 50 composers to create a variation of a simple waltz he composed. Some of the world’s greatest composers at the time participated, including Franz Schubert, Franz Liszt and reluctantly, Ludwig van Beethoven. The plan was to publish all 50 variations in a book, with profits used to aid orphans and widows of the Napoleonic Wars.
In the new play by Moises Kaufman, 33 Variations at the Arena Stage, we get a chance to look over the shoulder of one of history’s greatest composers as he obsesses about his craft. The story chronicles Beethoven’s decision and eventual obsession to illustrate just how much could be done starting with just a simple, somewhat silly waltz, by writing not one variation of the Diabelli piece, but over a course of 4 years, 33 variations.
The results of Beethoven’s variations has been described as the greatest of all piano works. Modern-day musicologist Katherine, becomes fascinated with the works and attempts in her own similarly obsessive way, to discover the reasoning behind Beethoven’s fascination and drive to create so many variations.
Along the way, Katherine discovers through research of Beethoven’s manuscripts and his assistant’s notes and diaries, things about herself, her life and her relationships as well as the master composer.
To accompany the story, the variations are played and effectively weaved into the story by the animated and powerful virtuoso pianist Diane Walsh. At one point we get a breath-taking glimpse of the genius of Beethoven’s creative process as he composes one of the variations in front of the audience’s ears and eyes.
The performance I attended received a much deserved standing ovation and left many in the audience with a joyful tear in their eye.
33 Variations
Arena Stage
Kreeger Theater
1101 Sixth Street, SW
Washington, DC 20024
Date and Time - Tuesdays - Sundays evenings with matinees through Sept. 30th.
Tickets - $47.00 - $66.00 and are available online.
Nearest Metro subway station - The Waterfront-SEU station - Green line, then a one block walk.
Parking - Limited reserved parking is available in the Arena Stage lot for $12.00, but you must make advanced reservations (202-488-3300). Additional street and paid garage parking is available.
NOTE: This play is not suited for young children due to brief nudity.
Image (excluding historical images) courtesy of Arena Stage.
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3 Comments
Check out Manchester Camerata’s new recording of Beethoven’s Symphony No. 4. Download it free at http://www.manchestercamerata.com
Is it true Beethoven poured ice water over his head every time he sat down to compose music? Or is that just a myth?
I was able to only find one reference to the use of ice water in his creative process, so I somewhat doubt it.