As part of the Ludwig van Beethoven Year 2020 – the 250th anniversary of the birth of the German-born Viennese master -, the Compagnia di Punto has made a recording of his first three symphonies. How is this special?
A remarkable aspect of this recording is that Beethoven’s symphonies, today considered as untouchable and virtually sacred monuments, are here performed by the Compagnia di Punto in arrangements realized by Beethoven’s contemporaries for a chamber ensemble made up of only ten instrumentalists. While this may be considered an affront to some purists, this recording will be welcomed by classical music fans with an open mind as an absolute rarity. On one hand, original arrangements of famous works reveal how loosely the “musical pantheon” could be treated during Beethoven’s time; on the other hand, they manage to cast a completely new light on musical works that are known inside out. With exceptional works such as Beethoven’s symphonies, this is an especially rewarding undertaking. Nominated for an OPUS Klassik 2020 in the category “Ensemble/Orchestra of the year”!
VIDEO
PRESS
„An outstanding ensemble gives us a new perspective on Beethoven’s symphonies.“
NDR Kultur, 21.02.2020
„The presence of mind and vitality of nine fantastically motivated players sweep the listener into the symphonic chamber music of yesteryear…“
Süddeutschen Zeitung, 02.02.2020
„Fazit: Auf jeden Fall spannend!“
onlineMerker, 07.02.2020
SELECTION OF PROJECTS (2024/25)
Availability on request
Distortions
with Ian Bostridge, tenor / Marina Galic, actress
Works by Robert Schumann after poetry by Heinrich Heine with fragments of scenes from Woyzeck by Georg Büchner for singer, actress and chamber ensemble.
Ian Bostridge and Marina Galic as the main characters are joined by the ensemble Compagnia di Punto, which performs on instruments from the early 19th century – the period in which both Schumann and Büchner were active. Through exaggeration and alienation, this unusual, dramatic recital repeatedly draws Schumann’s beautiful songs into the present and poses the question if we, as a society, deal with psychological instability appropriately.
Availability on request
En miniature
Compagnia die Punto plays Beethoven’s, Mozart’s and Haydn’s symphonies on period instruments in chamber music format, arranged by contemporaries Carl Friedrich Ebers and Ferdinand Ries. The symphonies can be combined at will or supplemented with other works by Beethoven for small ensembles.
L. v. Beethoven: Symphony No. 1 in C major, Op. 21, edited by Karl Friedrich Ebers (1770-1836)
L. v. Beethoven: Symphony No. 2 in D major, Op. 38, edited by Ferdinand Ries (1784-1838)
L. v. Beethoven: Symphony No. 3 in E flat major, Op. 55, edited by Carl Friedrich Ebers
L. v. Beethoven: Symphony No. 6 “Pastoral” in F major, Op. 68
W. A. Mozart: Symphony No. 40 in G minor, K. 550
J. Haydn: Symphony No. 99 in E flat major, Hob. I:99
J. Haydn: Symphony No. 101 ” The clock” in D major, Hob. I:101
A. Rosetti: Sinfonie G major Murray A41
A. Rosetti: Sinfonie F major Murray A35
A. Rosetti: Sinfonie C major Murray A3
Additional works by Beethoven: Serenade for flute, violin and viola Op. 25, Sextett Op. 81b (2 horns and piano), Horn Sonata
