Beethoven Nr. 7 + an amazing Beethoven 7.1 + an astonishing Sibelius

On Thursday, March 11, I attended a performance by the Lamont Symphony Orchestra in Gates Hall on the DU campus. In so many ways, it was one of the best performances I have heard the Lamont Symphony Orchestra give. It was a very exciting performance as well, because it was the world premiere of composer William Hill’s new Symphony Nr. 2 which carries the subtitle “Beethoven 7.1.” Also on the program was the original Beethoven Symphony Nr. 7, and a performance of the Sibelius Violin Concerto in D minor, Opus 47, which was performed by one of DUs most outstanding violinists that I’ve heard to date, Sarah Johnson.

First, a word about Beethoven’s Symphony Nr. 7 and William Hill’s Beethoven 7.1. Hill’s symphony was commissioned by Lawrence Golan, Music Director of the Lamont Symphony Orchestra for concert and recording sessions in March of 2010. In the program notes, Mr. Hill states:

“Symphony #2 is subtitled Beethoven 7.1 due to its numerous references to his great Seventh Symphony, and is designed as a companion piece for the Lamont Symphony performances of the Beethoven. It was composed n the autumn of 2009 and completed on January 24, 2010. The 173 page score contains virtually every theme from the Beethoven, sometimes in obvious statements, and often in rather abstract relationships within a context of modern musical language. My symphony combines the main themes of the Beethoven second and third movements into one single musical form, and thus results in a three movement work.”

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