The 250th anniversary of Beethoven’s birth won’t be until 2020 but the countdown celebrations have already begun.
Thanks to the initiative ‘Bürger für Beethoven’, Saturday saw an enjoyable mix of music and musicians finding new ways to present the music of Bonn’s favourite son ranging from a five piece string quartet cleverly named BEAThoven through American pianist Thomas Wise playing Beethoven’s ‘Waldstein’ sonate Op 53, Blues from Beethoven Orchestra musicians (Sue & the Operators), Flamenco guitar from Spanish musician Ismael Alcalde to a 5 string violin looping performance including ‘Ode to Joy’ from Alexander Meyen (eat your heart out looping King Ed Sheeran).
Ismael Alcalde
The evening was topped off by a performance by Sunny Skies fired as always with the vocals of Babsi Nitsche, guitar of Martin Behr and this time joined by guest singer Alex Kaiser. Memories of the past Bonn Summer festival in the square (though why was the stage pointed towards the Guildhall this time?) Whatever, Bringing life into Bonn centre after the shops close with great music. Rock ‘n’ Roll over Beethoven indeed!
