Page 24 - SRMF 2024 Season Program Book

Continued from previous page is the proto-minimalist material about 20 seconds into the
first movement, where Beethoven hangs onto the same
Between 1802 and 1815 (the approximate dates of his music for longer than you would expect, and everything
middle period), Beethoven produced about 40 works with seems to stop so you can enjoy the moment, like dwelling
opus numbers, an impressive feat itself, especially when on the sight of a distant treeline, or a herd of deer jumping
you consider the scale of the works he was composing on through the woods. The murmuring nature of the second
his “new path.” movement conjures a babbling brook and birdsongs (there
Beethoven’s Sixth Symphony occupies a somewhat are direct quotes of birds at the end of the movement), the
strange place in his output. It may not get the same recog- simple yet elegant joys of country life show up in the third
nition as the odd-numbered symphonies as a titanic, revo- movement, the thunderstorm and its aftermath punctuate
lutionary piece, but it was composed virtually simultaneous- the whole scene - the music in this work is all vibes-based, a
ly with the Fifth Symphony, a true exercise in contrasts. One welcome serene departure from some of the more serious
imagines Beethoven sternly composing at the keyboard sounds of Beethoven’s other symphonies.
in his home for the Fifth, taking breaks with a countryside
stroll to gain inspiration for the Pastoral symphony. Beetho-
ven was well known as a lover of a good nature walk, with a
strong preference for the woods beyond the city. All program notes are © Mark J. Knippel, 2024
The Sixth’s structure also differs from other symphonic Mark J. Knippel (b. 1983) is a composer, producer, educator,
works, both in form and content; writing five movements new music advocate, and entrepreneur in the arts. An
instead of the traditional four already defies convention, Oregonian if there ever was one, he holds degrees from
without taking into account the Sixth being one of the first Southern Oregon University (BA) and the University of Oregon
truly programmatic symphonic works in the canon. Each (MMus) in Music Composition. His music explores people's
of the five movements depicts scenes in the countryside; relationship with technology and the natural world, though
Beethoven gave each movement a rather descriptive title rarely both simultaneously. He teaches bass guitar, trumpet,
that you can see above, but he also later said the depic- and composition in a private studio in Sisters, Oregon, and is
tions were “...more the expression of feeling than painting.” co-founder of GriffinFly Productions, a music production and
This program for the work gives it a lightheartedness not consulting company dedicated to fostering creativity in the
really present in his other symphonies. There’s an immedi- everyday life of artists and organizations alike.
ate comfort in the opening gestures - one striking moment

Thank you, Bennington Properties,

for your continued support of

Sunriver Music Festival!

24 - 2024 SUNRIVERMUSIC.ORG