And Now Beethoven

Igudesman & Joo play Beethoven

That’s it. That’s the whole premise of this show. Some people do not like Beethoven. Some people are dense and do not realise how funny Beethoven is. Fortunately for those people, Igudesman & Joo are here to help (at least, with Beethoven’s humor. There’s nothing they can do about your taste).
Taking their cue from Franz Clement and Yehudi Menuhin, Igudesman & Joo will speak to the audience between movements upside down. And yes, there is evidence to support this strange performance practice: Franz Clement, the violinist who gave the world premiere of Beethoven’s Violin Concerto showed off between movements by playing his violin upside down. Then, Yehudi Menuhin, Igudesman’s and Joo’s mentor, conducted Beethoven with the Berlin Philharmonic while doing a headstand. If this isn’t enough to convince those of you worried about historically informed performances, we’re not sure what could be!
What will they speak about? Well, wouldn’t you like to hear—no offense, Ludwig. Why did Beethoven dunk his head in cold water every day, you ask? Why did he love to throw soup around? Was his favorite fruit really “Ba-na-na-naaaaa”? If you didn’t understand those questions, especially that last one, you definitely need to come see this show.
The program will include Sonatas for Piano and Violin by Ludwig van Beethoven: Nos. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10. We’ll stop at number 10, not because we want to but because we have to. Even Beethoven stopped at 10. . . Because he died. . .
Program will also include a very unique transcription of a Piano and Violin Sonata, for when the pianist forgets to show up, and, of course, variations on Beethoven’s greatest masterpiece, his finest work, his magnus opus: “Für Elise.”
This show is created in honour of the 250th Anniversary of Beethoven’s birth. Come see this exclusive show in 2020, before it’s too late and the occasion ends! Otherwise you’ll just have to see it in 2021, and where’s the fun in that?


What others say

Since our first encounter with I&J in 2011, we (the musicians & staff of the Taiwan Philharmonic) had been longing for being part of the birth of the  “Scary Concert”.  From the perfect preparation of the music scores to the super efficient rehearsals, I&J not only inspired our musicians to be more creative in performances but also bounded them with our audience even tighter.  Right after the concerts, we received many inquires about when I&J will be back for another new project …. yes, from both orchestra musicians and audience.  The  Scary Concert is the healing concert for both audience and musicians in this stiflingly busy city life.

Joyce Chiou
Executive Director, Taiwan Philharmonic, the National Symphony Orchestra (NSO)

“A Lit­tle Night­mare Music brings sur­re­al­ism to the con­cert hall and takes its trousers down! Very musi­cal, very engag­ing and very funny.
A Big Hand for A Lit­tle Night­mare Music’s Big Hands.“

Terry Jones
Comedian/Monty Python/Director

“Hear­ing and see­ing Igudes­man and Joo per­form­ing live is expe­ri­enc­ing pure musi­cian­ship, won­der­ful act­ing, sophis­ti­ca­tion and a ter­rific sense of humor. Their lack of pre­ten­tious­ness and the joy of their music-making offer an irre­sistible invi­ta­tion into the world of clas­si­cal music. I can’t wait to bring them back!”

Hanna Arie-Gaifman
Direc­tor 92nd Street Y, Tisch Cen­ter for the Arts, New York

Upcoming shows

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