Vedrana Subotic has long been intrigued by the instrumental sonatas of Ludwig van Beethoven. Already as a teen she was interested in the sonata form and how it changed and developed, especially in Beethoven’s hands. “It was as a teenager that I was first able to comprehend the form and how it evolved,” she said in an interview with Reichel Recommends.
Vedrana Subotic
And this fascination is a major incentive behind her decision to perform all of Beethoven’s piano sonatas, as well as his other instrumental sonatas and piano trios. It’s a multi-year project that the pianist and University of Utah faculty member is eager to finally undertake. “I’m very excited about dedicating the next few years of my life to learning and performing this extraordinary repertoire.”
When performers decide to play a genre specific cycle of a composer’s works they oftentimes program them in more or less chronological order. Subotic, however, chose a different direction — she’s alternating early and late works. “I’m programming in an arch form,” she said.
For the first concert in the series last month she programmed Beethoven’s first published work, the three piano trios of op. 1.
Her second concert, which takes place on Easter Sunday, is devoted to the composer’s final three piano sonatas: no. 30 in E major, op. 109; no. 31 in A flat major, op. 110; and no. 32 in C minor, op. 111. “These are mind boggling works. I see each of these as a small universe in itself.
“His first trios are so youthful, and the last sonatas are just amazing,” she said. “I like taking this approach because you can see his development. You can see how he expresses himself early and late in his life.” The ability to see how Beethoven matures as a person and as a musician is important to Subotic. “This juxtaposition makes such an interesting musical journey.”
Her next concert, and the last one for this season, is on April 28 and gives the audience a broad overview of some of Beethoven’s early works: the Cello Sonata in F major, op. 5; the Horn Sonata in F major, op. 17; and two of the three violin sonatas in the op. 12 set.
“I wanted to offer a range of works that were written before his op. 18 quartets,” Subotic said. “Only a few years separate these pieces, which makes it interesting to see how he articulated himself in his piano writing.”
Joining Subotic for the April 28 concert are Utah Symphony colleagues Lun Jiang, violin, Pegsoon Whang, cello, and Stephen Proser, horn. “Everyone is excited to do these works,” Subotic said, adding that “all the musicians have been delighted being involved in this project.” Besides Jiang, Whang and Proser, Utah Symphony members Claude Halter, violin, and Anne Lee, cello, will also take part in this series.
Subotic said that the musicians are all keen on playing chamber music. “They’ve all said the same thing, that this is what keeps us sane. And I would agree. Playing chamber music reminds us of what it is we need to do. It’s very important to us.”
With these two concerts, Subotic will have played 10 of the 56 chamber works Beethoven wrote for piano or with the piano as an integral component. These include the sonatas for solo piano, as well as the sonatas for various instruments and piano, and the piano trios. “Only 46 more to go,” she said with a laugh.
Her goal with what she expects to be a three-year project is to play 15 works per year. It’s a lot of music to learn and play but Subotic is more than ready for the challenge. “It’s intriguing,” she said. “It’s something quite amazing.”
- CONCERT DETAILS
- What: “Beethoven Sonata Perspectives,” Vedrana Subotic, piano
- Venue: Libby Gardner Concert Hall, University of Utah
- Time and Date: 7 p.m. April 20
- Tickets: Free
- Phone: 801-581-6762
- Web: http://music.utah.edu/events/index.php#/?i=3
- ALSO:
- What: “Beethoven Sonata Perspectives,” Vedrana Subotic, piano, Lun Jiang, violin, Pegsoon Whang, cello, Stephen Proser, horn
- Venue: Libby Gardner Concert Hall, University of Utah
- Time and Date: 7:30 p.m. April 28
- Tickets: Free
- Phone: 801-581-6762
- Web: http://music.utah.edu/events/index.php#/?i=3
