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San Jose State University's Ira F. Brilliant Center for Beethoven Studies is offering a weekend that will be music to Beethoven lovers' ears--a lot of music. The center will host its 19th annual Young Pianist's Beethoven Competition on April 24, affording audiences the opportunity to hear the works of the master composer played not only by likely virtuosos-to-be, but also by an acclaimed virtuoso pianist. In conjunction with the event, the Center for Beethoven Studies will present a special concert by renowned author, scholar and musician Charles Rosen on April 22. Rosen will also lead a master class during the competition.
The top performer is considered a specialist in Beethoven's later sonatas, and his concert will feature the composer's final three piano sonatas.
Rosen is in a position to know how Beethoven should be played--his well-known book, The Classical Style, analyzed how composers such as Beethoven, Mozart and Haydn helped shape the evolution of the music of the Classical era. The book is regarded as a classic, as is The Romantic Generation, Rosen's exploration of the works of early Romantic composers such as Liszt and Chopin.
The Young Pianist's Beethoven competition will showcase six young artists--high school students who hail from Cupertino, Sunnyvale and Fremont, and Peninsula and Sacramento-area communities. Each contestant will perform an entire Beethoven sonata. Three competition winners will be chosen and those young musicians will receive a cash prize as well as the chance to take part in a master class led by Rosen. This is a music lesson that won't be private, and that's part of the point: both students and audience members can watch and learn.
Charles Rosen performs April 22, 8 p.m. (with a preconcert lecture by Dr. William Meredith at 7 p.m.) at the San Jose State University Concert Hall. Tickets are $10-$25. The Young Pianist's Beethoven Competition takes place April 24, 9:30 a.m.-noon. Tickets are $2-$3. Rosen's Master Class takes place April 24, 2 p.m.-4 p.m. Tickets are $3-$6. 408.808.2056 or www2.sjsu.edi/depts/beethoven/events.html.
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