Fidelio

A Guide to Beethoven's Fidelio

Ahead of Washington National Opera's season opening production, Nicole Lacroix guides you through Beethoven's only opera, Fidelio, a product his whole-hearted devotion.

Igor and Ludwig

Igor and Ludwig: A Choral Match Made in Heaven

Ahead of the National Philharmonic's program of choral works by Stravinsky and Beethoven with The Washington Chorus led by Eugene Rogers, David Martosko reflects on the perfect pairing of the two vastly different composers.

Eclipse

Of Beethoven, the Eclipse, and Universality

James Jacobs reflects on experiencing the eclipse in totality, and ponders on the meaning of beauty and universality in a broken world as expressed in Beethoven's 9th symphony.

George Walker

NSO's Beethoven and American Masters Festival Part 4

The finale of the NSO's Beethoven and American Masters Festival closes with a pairing of Beethoven's Symphony No. 9 and George Walker's Sinfonia No. 3 with Maestro Gianandrea Noseda. Learn more about the brilliant juxtaposition of the two masters.

Portrait of Beethoven holding a manuscript and a pencil

NSO's Beethoven and American Masters Festival Part 3

The third set of concerts of the National Symphony Orchestra's Beethoven and American Masters Festival brings together Beethoven’s Symphony No. 2 with his Coriolan and Egmont Overtures, along with the Sinfonia No. 2 by American composer George Walker.

William Grant Still

NSO's Beethoven and American Masters Festival Part 2

The second installment of the NSO's Beethoven and American Masters Festival presents Beethoven’s “Pastoral” Symphony paired with the Symphony No. 2 in G Minor, “Song of a New Race” by one of the most fascinating figures in twentieth-century music, American composer William Grant Still.