Beethoven, Brahms and Ravel: UMD Symphony Orchestra

Ludwig van Beethoven’s Overture to Coriolanus was written for Heinrich Joseph von Collin’s play based on one of Shakespeare’s less frequently performed tragedies. While Shakespeare’s original work depicts the story of a Roman general’s journey from brutality to tenderness, Beethoven did not want to give too much of the plot away with a single movement. He instead stressed the overarching moods through musical themes, capturing Coriolanus’ resolve...