Path to Democracy
October 30, 2009
What is now one of Europe's most modern multimedia facilities was originally designed as office space for Germany's parliamentarians. After the country's unification and the move of the government to Berlin, it became the Deutsche Welle headquarters.
Two musicians who were born in Moscow and studied there - Mikhail Ovrutsky, 29, concert master of the Beethoven Orchester Bonn and Grigory Alumyan, 32, cello chair in the same orchestra - joined forces in 2005 with Japanese pianist Rinko Hama to found the Beethoven Trio Bonn.
The centerpiece of their program dedicated to the 1980's was two works by Wolfgang Rihm. In his "Fremdszenen" (Foreign Scenes), the composer, then 30 years old, explored the tonal idiom of Robert Schumann. Those pieces are framed by Astor Piazzolla's "Seasons," symbolizing the 1980's, when Piazzolla's "Tango Nuevo" style became enormously popular in Germany.
Program
Astor Piazzolla (1921-1992)
Tangos (arranged by Jose Bragato):
Primavera Porteña
Verano Porteño
Wolfgang Rihm (1952-)
"Fremde Szene II" for violin, cello and piano
"Fremde Szene III" for violin, cello and piano
Astor Piazzolla
Tangos (arranged by Jose Bragato):
Invierno Portena
Otono Porteno
Performed by
Beethoven Trio Bonn: Mikhail Ovrutsky (violin), Grigory Alumyan (cello), Rinko Hama (piano)
Recorded by Deutsche Welle on Sept. 6, 2009 at DW headquarters in Bonn.
ab/kjb