Advertisement

But What About Love?

Share

In this interview (“Roiling Over Beethoven,” May 16) as well as others I’ve heard with John Eliot Gardiner, most or all of the talk is of the boldness, violence, revolutionary qualities and incisive edges in Beethoven’s music that allegedly come alive when modern instruments are replaced with period instruments.

The problem is that all of these attributes are not the essential ones. The chief attributes of Beethoven--the true reasons for his greatness as well as his relevance for people in all eras--are his humanity and love. It is these qualities that must somehow come through in each work, regardless of how “violent” it may seem on the surface.

It is fascinating and relevant to note that when Beethoven was asked what the most difficult aspect of performing his music was, he replied “cantabile”--to play in a manner that truly sings from the depths of the soul.

Advertisement

In the quest for “authenticity,” is justice really being done to Beethoven?

DANIEL SHAPIRO

Cleveland Heights, Ohio

Professor of piano

Cleveland Institute of Music

Advertisement