Portland Chamber Orchestra: "Beethoven Unlimited" Concert October 2, 2004 at 8 pm and October 3, 2004 at 3 pm

The present Portland Chamber Orchestra performances of the complete Egmont score employ an original adaptation and retelling by writer Jon M. Dickinson and actor Jack W. Cantwell, both from Portland, of Goethe's play. This adaptation, woven into and throughout the Beethoven score, visits the gist of Goethe's drama by means of a counterplay between new-original, interpretive, single-voice narrative, coupled to both new-original and direct-translated (from the Goethe text) character dialog. This unique and fresh approach contrasts with most concert readings, wherein the texts we hear are only those of Klärchen's songs, and those in the final spoken "melodrama," (spoken text over music), crowned by the "Siegessymphonie" whose first notes sound immediately after Egmont's final words.

Beethoven composed ten musical numbers for Egmont, beginning with the thunderous overture, a staple of the concert repertory, whose coda returns for the "Siegessymphonie." The other numbers are four entr'actes, mood-setting bridges; the two songs of Klärchen, in the first of which she envisions herself as a soldier, bravely accompanying Egmont into battle, and the second a reflection on the vacillating moods of the lover. With the final notes of Klärchen's death scene, the "melodrama" music begins. Egmont envisions Klärchen as the symbol of liberty. His sorrow gives way to defiance, ending with an exultant call to his people to overthrow their oppressors: "Protect those whom you cherish. Fall, as I do now, with conviction… and… with joy!"