The story of Ludwig van Beethoven’s confronting his growing deafness as he continued to compose and conduct has always provided special inspiration for me that transcends his music. Whenever I listen to his compositions, I hear more than notes exquisitely written and performed. I hear the voice of a fellow human being who is overcoming trauma, adversity and fear through his art, whispering to me not to despair, but like him, to make the most of what I have while I can in my own way.
By Lawrence Kramer, author of Musical Meaning: Toward a Critical History In his classic study of perception, the French philosopher Maurice Merleau-Ponty describes the experience of listening to a classical sonata, which he takes to be representative of lis
This post is part of our AMS 2020 conference blog series. Check out our virtual exhibit page for more.As a conductor of Beethoven’s music, what draws you to this composer’s life and works?Beethoven’s music fascinates like no other, as it stimulates in equal measure both the head and