Egmont for Seven - upcoming performances of Jan Müller-Wieland's
adaptation of Beethoven's Egmont Overture
Jan Müller-Wieland says: "In March 2001 the violinist Daniel Hope told me about a project with two words: 'War peaces.' He asked me if I thought it was possible to adapt the Egmont Overture for Stravinsky's ensemble used in 'The Soldier's Tale.' What a curious idea, I thought, but I also thought it would not be possible.
"After having occupied myself thoroughly with the Egmont Overture, I agreed to Daniel's offer after all, but considered the following points important: 1) it should deviate from the original only if absolutely necessary, 2) it should use exactly the same percussion instruments used by Stravinsky, 3) it should be orchestrated and also besieged (after all, a large orchestral sound is being transformed). (...) I wish the interpreters much pleasure in playing this grotesque, fairground piece, and I thank Daniel Hope for his strange suggestion.
At the present time, the following performances of the Egmont Overture by Beethoven / Müller-Wieland have been planned:
14 July 2002
Ludwigsburg Castle Festival
17 July 2002
Rosenburg Castle, Vienna
20 July 2002
MDR Music Summer, Erfurt
1 August 2002
Schleswig-Holstein Music Festival, Kiel Castle
