James K. Schooler Memorial Concert
Garrick Ohlsson, piano

All-Beethoven program:
Sonata in C minor, Op. 13 “Pathetique”
Sonata in F Minor, Op. 57 “Appassionata”
Sonata in C Major, Op. 53 “Waldstein”
Sonata in C-sharp Minor, Op. 27, No. 2 “Moonlight”

The remarkable stamp of originality that Beethoven brought to classical forms is nowhere more evident than in his piano sonatas, which traverse his creative life. Beethoven transformed the musical sonata form, originally intended for the amateur keyboardist’s home enjoyment, into virtuosic works that challenged and expanded the piano’s capacity for expression. Here, celebrated pianist Garrick Ohlssohn tackles four of Beethoven’s most beloved masterpieces, bringing to life the passionate and dramatic spirit of these revolutionary works, which continue to amaze and surprise us.

“Garrick Ohlsson is a big pianist with a calmly commanding presence.” — The Independent

“The piano was Beethoven’s primary instrument, and he tried his ideas out on the piano all the time, so the piano was in a way his laboratory for composition…If a man from Mars were dropped on the earth and the only Beethoven left was the piano sonatas, he could actually form a pretty complete idea of who Beethoven was. They present a full, accurate portrait.” — Garrick Ohlssohn