Beethoven 4 Strings: Part III

Show & Culture

Beethoven found inspiration after a near-death experience. In the spring of 1825, he became seriously ill. During his recovery, he remained true to himself and expressed his experience through music. The slow movement of his Quartet No. 15 is titled "Heiliger Dankgesang eines Genesenen an die Gottheit," a sacred song of thanksgiving to the Divinity from a convalescent. Highly personal, it opens timidly and then overwhelms the audience. It is presented along with Quartet No. 6, whose final movement Beethoven called "La Malinconia". This concert shows what music can express when words are not enough.