Benefit Concert for Contemporary Opera Marin
Ludwig van Beethoven
Diabelli Variations, opus 120
…plus other variations on the theme.
Old
Czerny · Moscheles · Mozart (jr) · Hummel · Schubert · Kalkbrenner · Liszt
New
Mark Volkert · Tara Flandreau · Ron Fein · Jules Langert
Friday, March 15, 2024
7:30 pm
Sunday, March 17, 2024
2 pm
Lefort Recital Hall / PA72
Performing Arts Building
835 College Ave, Kentfield
Reserve Free Ticket
Saturday, March 16, 2024
7 pm
Muir Beach Community Center
19 Seacape Dr, Muir Beach
Reserve Free Ticket
Sunday, March 17, 2024
7 pm
Studio Fourth Street
1569 Fourth St, San Rafael
Reserve Free Ticket
FREE admission and Parking
Reservation suggested, but not required.
About Paul Smith
Emeritus faculty member, Paul Smith, performs a concert to benefit Contemporary Opera Marin, the internationally recognized opera program of College of Marin.
This program presents one of the greatest works of the classical piano literature - Beethoven’s Diabelli Variations, opus 120, officially 33 Variations on a Waltz by Diabelli.
Based on a simple waltz by Anton Diabelli, noted Austrian composer and publisher of the first half of the 19th century, Beethoven was one of 51 composers commissioned by Diabelli to compose a variation on his waltz as a celebration of the cultural accomplishments of Austria’s most noted musicians. Instead of one variation, Beethoven became intrigued by the many possibilities of this simple, 16 measure melody, and over a period of four years composed one of the landmark works of the solo piano literature, perhaps only equaled by JS Bach’s Goldberg Variations.
In addition to the Beethoven variations, the program includes a small sampling of the other variations composed on the theme, as well as new variations commissioned for this concert by composers with strong ties to Marin County - Mark Volkert, Tara Flandreau, Ron Fein, and Jules Langert.
Paul Smith has been serving the musical needs of Marin County for over 4 decades, including as solo performer, director of contemporary music ensembles, music director of the Mountain Play, classical DJ for KWMR, the public radio station in Point Reyes Station, and as director of Contemporary Opera Marin, the 25 year old internationally recognized opera company at College of Marin, for which this concert will benefit.