Beethoven!

Every time Shunske Sato Nieuwe Kerk the Nieuwe Kerk with our musicians, something special happens: a sense of calm, focus, and a warm anticipation fills the air. The violinist is known for his direct, pure style of playing and his almost improvisational approach to the score. In this program, he combines conducting with performing. The evening opens with Beethoven’s Second Romance for Violin and Orchestra. Intimate, lyrical, and almost intimate, as if Sato were telling it directly to you.

Sato takes you on a journey through Beethoven’s world as you rarely hear it: light, curious, and human. In the youthful First Symphony , you hear the clarity and elegance of his inspirations Mozart and Haydn, but also the first contours of Beethoven’s idiosyncratic language. The Eighth Symphony is rich in rhythmic precision, humor, and surprising dynamics. Sato’s open and improvisational approach casts both works in a clear light, with a keen eye for both structure and vitality. This is a concert that feels less like a performance and more like a story unfolding on the spot.