Celebrating Beethoven
October 23, 2001
Born in a small attic apartment in 1770, Beethoven grew to be one of the most-respected musicians on the European continent during the early 1800s.
Today his music is heard throughout the world, and many of his compositions, such as the "Ode to Joy," have become synonymous with German culture. Since the 1950s Bonn has honored its favorite son in the annual International Beethoven Festival.
This year, from September 21st to October 9th, Bonn will again play host to an impressive gathering of international artists and musicians. Under the motto of "Beethoven Variations" the festival will present 48 concerts featuring Beethoven's variations on his own works as well as adaptations by other composers.
As a media partner and main sponsor of the festival, the Deutsche Welle will report in detail on the concert via DW-TV, DW-Radio and DW-Online. Concerts with major orchestras and renowned conductors such as Sir Simon Rattle, Christoph Eschenbach and Ingo Metzmacher will be broadcast over the Deutsche Welle.
To emphasize the international aspect of the festival, the Deutsche Welle has invited outstanding young artists from different parts of the world. The Ukrainian Orchestra of the Tchaikovsky Conservatory in Kiev will open the series of concerts by young people.