Beethoven X Coldplay

Steve Hackman, conductor

Beethoven X Coldplay merges two musical giants that deal with universal and humanist themes in their music, and asks the musical question: would Beethoven have found meaning in the music of Coldplay? That notion, perhaps odd-sounding at first, becomes much more compelling when considering the state of the thirty-three-year-old Beethoven as he was composing the Eroica: desperate to prove himself as the eminent composer in Europe, loving but not being loved in return, and despairing as he realized his hearing would someday leave him completely. Beethoven X Coldplay tells this story, transforming the Eroica into a song-cycle/oratorio, weaving the melodies and lyrics of Coldplay into the original Beethoven, pairing them together based on context and content. Three world-class vocalists join the full orchestra, and conductor/composer Steve Hackman alternates between conducting the orchestra and playing the piano. Many of Coldplay’s most well-known songs are interpolated, including ‘Yellow’, ‘Viva La Vida’, ‘Clocks’ and ‘The Scientist’.

Please note: Neither Beethoven nor Coldplay will be performing at this event.

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