Poster Beethoven celebrates his 250th birthday this year.
Beethoven was one of the greatest composers to ever live, changing the way we wrote symphonies and sonatas.
Wikimedia Commons
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Birge's Picks: Welcome back, Ludwig!

It was Beethoven’s bad luck to have his 250th birthday year coincide with a global pandemic. The 2020 Minnesota Beethoven Festival was devastated too, as they were forced to cancel the entire summer of concerts. No Joshua Bell; no Benjamin Grosvenor; no King’s Singers…

But now there’s reason to sing an Ode to Joy: the Minnesota Beethoven Festival is back for 2021, with another incredible lineup, including one group that was booked last year, the Los Angeles Guitar Quartet.  Just as well they delayed, because now you’ll get to hear their new project with Pat Metheny (and you can hear Pat Metheny talk about it with YourClassical MPR’s Julie Amacher on New Classical Tracks.

As for Beethoven, please remember Ludwig’s words of wisdom — “The amount of money one needs is terrifying” — and donate a few coins for YourClassical Minnesota Public Radio, the station that broadcasts Minnesota Beethoven Festival concerts (like Joshua Bell’s and Orpheus Chamber Orchestra) live from Winona to the entire world.  Ludwig thanks you for your support!

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This activity is made possible in part by the Minnesota Legacy Amendment‘s Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund.

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