Epic Saturday: Beethoven's Egmont Overture
Lucerne Symphony Orchestra chief conductor James Gaffigan talks to Simon Mayo about the Beethoven's journey from darkness into light
Last updated 14th Mar 2021
James Gaffigan, Chief Conductor Lucerne Symphony Orchestra spoke to Simon Mayo on his Scala Radio Saturday show about Beethoven's Egmont Overture - another in our ongoing Epic Saturday series in which artists from the classical music world introduce key works in the repertoire.
Before talking about the Egmont Overture, Simon asked James about when he thought it was likely orchestras might be playing again.
"Everyone's thinking very differently about how its going to happen, " explained James.
"I think things will happen. It mostly depends on travelling and visas. I think once we're there, I think everyone has to think outside of the box. In times of crisis we have to help one another and think about how we present our artform.
"Since I'm in Norway, we're thinking about the orchestra musicians sitting in a circle so they can see one another. it seems like a simple idea, but if you thinking about it there are many orchestral players who have never seen wind players during a concert. So, I think we're going to have a sense of chamber music on a much bigger level with me at the centre. I think that will be fun to get people to listen and watch one another in a different way."
In times of crisis we have to help one another and think about how we present our artform ... we're thinking about the orchestra musicians sitting in a circle so they can see one another.
Referring to the Beethoven project in which the recording of the Egmont Overture featured, Simon asked James what his memories of working with the Lucerne Symphony Orchestra on the endeavour.
"I love our concert halls, I love my orchestra, I think the Lucerne Symphony Orchestra is the perfect combination of a large symphony orchestra as we know it - like the Philharmonia or London Symphony Orchestra - and a chamber orchestra like the Orpheus or the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment. Size wise and maybe mentality. I think there's a nice quality to that. We get the lean muscular sound I think we need for Beethoven, but without all of the heaviness of a larger symphony orchestra."
Describe the Egmont Overture to someone who's never heard it before
"It's the quickest journey from darkness to light in our repertoire. It goes from a very dark place to a very strange death march type thing, to some of the most glorious music in nature Beethoven ever wrote. I think this is another example of very simple melodies or musical germs that Beethoven uses and experiments with.
"Beethoven never wrote very rarely does he wrote a long beautiful melody - it usually comes from just a few notes. I think Egmont is a perfect of a rhythmic motive. I just think its an incredible human journey we all want to take.
"I think this is the perfect piece to introduce someone to Beethoven. "