We hear about acts of personal sacrifice and heroism in response to hurricane Sandy, and local acts of charity and bravery here in Stockton in the face of our harsh social and economic climate. The indomitable human spirit is a great source of inspiration.
In the symphonic world, Beethoven has provided us a shining example of such ability to triumph over adversity that has endured for centuries—it’s one of the key factors that keep his music as relevant now as it was then. As he was composing his Second Symphony in 1801–02, Beethoven had to confront the painful realization that he was going deaf. He wrote his famous “Heiligenstädter Testament,” addressed to his two brothers Carl and Johann, but not intended to be read until after his death, which includes the following:
What humiliation when someone, standing beside me, heard a flute from afar off while I heard nothing, or when someone heard a shepherd singing, and again I heard nothing! Such experiences have brought me close to despair, and I came near to ending my own life—only my art held me back, as it seemed impossible to leave this world until I have produced everything I feel it has been granted to me to achieve. . . .
It’s practically unfathomable, but Beethoven’s Second turns out to be one of his sunniest and most optimistic symphonies. Just by listening to it one would never guess that the composer had been weathering an emotional crisis! Beethoven’s perseverance for his art indeed enabled him to thrive, and he infused so many of his works with a sense of heroism—even from our seats we feel we have earned a well-deserved emotional victory at the conclusion of the performance. Beethoven’s gift to humanity has provided a fabulous model for conquering our worldly challenges—and we experience that inspiration afresh every time we listen.
What a magnificent opportunity indeed for revitalizing our human spirit—an entire program devoted to the sublime, powerful, and heroic Beethoven.
Peter Jaffe
A full program of Beethoven is in store when the Stockton Symphony continues its Classics season on Thursday, November 15, 2012. Classics II: Beethoven Bash begins at 8:00 p.m. at Atherton Auditorium on the San Joaquin Delta College campus in Stockton, and repeats Saturday, November 17, at 6:00 p.m. Audience members are encouraged to attend a free pre-concert talk by the Music Director, Peter Jaffe, beginning 45 minutes before the "Beethoven Bash" concert begins.
