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Concerts

The Wonderful Solitude of Samuel Adams

Karina Canellakis combines a birthday present for Ditta Bartók with a revolutionary symphony and a new work by a son who has surpassed his father's shadow.

The Wonderful Solitude of Samuel Adams

Location

Het Concertgebouw Amsterdam
Concertgebouwplein 10
1071 LN Amsterdam
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Symbol

After Ludwig van Beethoven decided to dedicate his Third Symphony to Napoleon, news arrived that the ruler had himself crowned emperor. 'Another tyrant, a normal mortal', Beethoven flew into a rage and renamed his symphony 'Eroica', making the work a symbol of the ideals of the French Revolution, which Napoleon destroyed. Béla Bartók performed his Third Piano Concerto, his last work before his death, with more love; it was to ensure that his wife had a source of income after his death.

Desert colors

Variations by Samuel Adams also has a history. He would write the work as a composer in residence at Het Concertgebouw in 2020. During the pandemic, he ended up in the Nevada desert. There, the son of composer John Adams was amazed by the infinite variety of colours and wrote his Variations, constructed according to the Fibonacci series. Tranquil atmospheres and vast orchestral fans evoke the atmosphere of Adams' beautiful loneliness.

Accessibility

General accessibility provisions

Present, available or allowed

  • Service dog allowed
  • Personal assistant
  • Sensory experience
  • Accessible building
  • Rest areas

The Wonderful Solitude of Samuel Adams

Location

Het Concertgebouw Amsterdam
Concertgebouwplein 10
1071 LN Amsterdam
Show in Google Maps