In celebration of Ludwig van Beethoven’s 250th birthday, Music, Gettysburg ! is presenting virtually four new pieces by one of our favorite composers. In the past few years we’ve been able to present several works by Hollis Thoms, a Maryland resident and strong Music, Gettysburg! supporter, including works composed for the Schola Cantorum of Gettysburg. He has arranged three of Beethoven’s songs for voices and instruments of his stunningly talented family and friends, and we’ve posted them on our YouTube channel – click here to view them. Plus, he’s made available to us an audio of his own piano sonata written in homage to the Immortal Beloved, which you can find at his own website – click here.
Hollis had offered to put together a Beethoven program for the 2020-2021 season, and we jumped on the offer and scheduled it for Oct. 11, 2020. Then Covid hit and closed us out. But Hollis generously offered these performances for our use. We pass them on with delight to you all!
The three songs that are performed are: “Sweet Power of Song,” “Come fill, fill, my good fellow,” and “Behold, my Love, how green the groves.” Beethoven originally wrote them for singers, violin, cello and piano: Hollis has arranged them for flute, oboe, horn, violin, cello, piano and singers.
Performers are: Jacqueline Thoms, soprano; Alekz Thoms, soprano; Sarah Bleasdale, alto; Kristopher Jean, tenor; Izaak Thoms, baritone; Jason Thoms, baritone; Stacey Russell, flute; Sonja Thoms, oboe; Jonas Thoms, horn; Emily Price, violin; Gretchen Gettes, cello, and Andrew Stewart, piano.