Beethoven & Friends, Part I @ Town Hall

Of the many things you can call Beethoven, Russian is not one. He's as German as Black Forest cake. But Beethoven "got" Russians, and they knew what he was up to, too. The other night we were listening to Bryron Schenkman play Beethoven's Variations on a Russian Theme ("Schone Minka"), and we were reminded of Tolstoy's story, The Kreutzer Sonata. (Actually we were reminded by Google, but it's still a good hook.)

For instance, should they be allowed to play this "Kreutzer Sonata," the first presto, -- and there are many like it, -- in parlors, among ladies wearing low necked dresses, or in concerts, then finish the piece, receive the applause, and then begin another piece? These things should be played under certain circumstances, only in cases where it is necessary to incite certain actions corresponding to the music. But to incite an energy of feeling which corresponds to neither the time nor the place, and is expended in nothing, cannot fail to act dangerously.

For writing this salaciousness, Tolstoy was told on by Chief Procurator of the Holy Synod, who complained to the czar. At the end of a long sequence of events, Tolstoy was excommunicated, which was the best thing for all concerned. He later defended himself with a postscript urging celibacy and weighing in against childhood sensuality.

At Town Hall, we were notably short on ladies in low necked dresses, but the incitement was still there. We heard Beethoven's sonatas for piano and violin, the "Spring" and the "Kreutzer" [mp3 sample], the piano sonata "Pathetique" (Perhaps you've heard it before?), and his Variations on a Russian Theme. (The encore that night was a little Mozart music, KV296.)

Byron was in his element, putting that outrageous note-by-note clarity of his to forceful use even during runs, and whipping up some tremendous storms of bass sound that left us wondering if he was using a spare left hand. Local baroque specialist Tekla Cunningham was on violin, and while her bowing may be an acquired taste, her response to the Kreutzer's virtuosic demands summoned a mental image of a determined Super G racer, tucked and slapping gates all the way down.

There are two more parts in the Beethoven & Friends series at Town Hall, April 10 and May 8. The April program explores Beethoven and his teachers and influences, Haydn and Mozart. In May, the program features Beethoven and works from his disciples, Mendelssohn and Moscheles.

Photo: William Stickney