«What I have in my heart must come out; that is the reason why I compose.» How fortunate we are that Ludwig van Beethoven’s heart was filled with such wonderful music and humanity! 200 years after his death on 26 March 1827, he is now one of the most famous and most frequently performed composers in the world. From his early years in Vienna to the end of his life, the German composer left us with an astonishing body of masterpieces, despite losing his hearing at the age of twenty-six. When young Ludwig met Joseph Haydn, the latter was impressed by his early works and invited him to study under his guidance. During his Viennese years, Beethoven composed his Symphony N° 1 – to be performed by our orchestra on 15.01. – the Sonata Pathétique – to be heard twice in the spring with Lang Lang and Roman Borisov – as well as his first string quartets. The complete quartet cycle can be discovered throughout the season as the Belcea Quartet and the Quatuor Ébène pay tribute to the composer’s genius. At the turn of the 19th century, the composer entered his «heroic» period. Among the monuments produced during these prolific years are the Triple Concerto and the Mass in C major, both presented on 18.05., the «Kreutzer» Sonata, to be discovered on 09.03., and the two emblematic «N° 5», performed on 10.03. by the Luxembourg Philharmonic, Enrico Pace and Martin Rajna. After a series of personal trials, Beethoven experienced darker years, yet this period also gave rise to some of his greatest works. This season, you will hear his final Piano Sonata performed by Hélène Grimaud on 16.02., an arrangement of the Grosse Fugue three days later with the Berliner Barock-Solisten, and the Missa solemnis on 26.02. conducted by Paavo Järvi. The man who wrote to his «immortal beloved» remains deeply anchored in our memories and hearts – and will certainly continue to inspire us for at least another 200 years!