More Info
Haydn’s music was widely known and admired during his own lifetime, and when in 1790 he returned to his childhood hometown, Vienna, he became a much sought after teacher and mentor. Without question his most famous and important pupil was Beethoven, who absorbed an enormous amount from the older master. Nowhere is this influence more apparent than in Beethoven’s first set of six string quartets, works that he openly sought Haydn’s advice and suggestions for before having them published in 1801, to great critical and commercial success.
This third lecture in the Institute’s string quartet series will continue to feature LIVE performances by a professional ensemble of four players, presenting excerpts from the early quartets of Beethoven, as Thomas Shoebotham discusses interesting facets of the works and the influences from both Haydn and Mozart on this wonderful music.
Thomas Shoebotham has taught and performed on the cello in the Bay Area for over 20 years. Maestro Shoebotham plays a 2004 Anthony Lane cello, which won a silver medal for tone at the Violin Society of America competition in Portland. Also a noted conductor, he has directed performances for a number of groups, including Opera San Jose, Berkeley Opera, Peninsula Symphony, West Bay Opera, Contra Costa Chamber Orchestra, Albuquerque Philharmonic, and Palo Alto Philharmonic.
