About the Program

Beethoven’s music has inspired composers for more than two centuries, and this program explores his enduring influence through works that span from the early 19th century to the present day. Music Director Aram Demirjian pairs two of Beethoven’s most celebrated overtures with his Piano Concerto No. 3, performed by pianist Jonathan Biss, the 2026-27 Morman Guest Artist.

The program opens with subito con forza by South Korean composer Unsuk Chin. Written to commemorate Beethoven’s 250th birthday, the work draws its title from one of Beethoven’s most familiar performance markings and reflects on his musical legacy from a contemporary perspective. Demirjian describes it as an ideal way to begin a program celebrating Beethoven’s lasting influence.

Caroline Shaw’s watermark continues that conversation between past and present. Together with Chin’s work, it demonstrates how today’s composers continue to engage with the traditions Beethoven helped establish. Framed by the Coriolan and Egmont overtures and anchored by the Piano Concerto No. 3, the program offers audiences an opportunity to hear Beethoven alongside voices that continue to expand the orchestral repertoire.