Program III:
Beethoven, Brahms, and the Bard
Thursday, August 21, 2025 | 7:30 PM
Stevens Square Theater
Exquisite threads of music and literature are woven together in this theatrical exploration of love and loss. The emotional resonance of Shakespeare’s timeless play becomes doubly dramatic through intertwining spoken passages with Sergei Prokofiev’s Romeo and Juliet Suite, a bold, 20th century interpretation of the star-crossed love story. Beethoven was inspired by the tragic tomb scene for the lovely and lyrical Adagio of one of his earliest string quartets. Finally, Brahms’ radiant String Sextet No. 2, infused with bittersweet longing and lush lyricism, was inscribed to a woman he loved from afar. Together, music and language form a poignant meditation on love’s beauty, fragility, and the timeless power of artistic expression.
Sergei Prokofiev Suite from Romeo and Juliet (1936)
Chad Hoopes, violin; Benjamin Hochman, piano
William Shakespeare Selected readings from Romeo and Juliet (1597)
Walter van Dyk, reciter
Ludwig van Beethoven String Quartet No. 1 in F Major, Op. 18 (1800)
Susie Park, Chad Hoopes, violin; Melissa Reardon, viola; Nina Lee, cello
Johannes Brahms String Sextet No. 2 in G Major, Op. 36, “Agathe” (1865)
Anthony Marwood, Susie Park, violin; Melissa Reardon, Cara Pogossian, viola; Nina Lee, Raman Ramakrishnan, cello
* Programs and artists subject to change
TICKETS
Buy now and save 25%! Early Bird season passes on sale through June 1.
Single tickets on sale June 2.
VENUE
Stevens Square Theater
Stevens Square Community Center
631 Stevens Ave, Portland ME
PARKING
Free parking on site, lot entrance on Walton Street between Forest and Stevens Avenues
RUN TIME
Approximately 2 hours including intermission
Meet The Artists
Benjamin Hochman
piano
Chad Hoopes
violin
Walter van Dyk
reciter
Nina Lee
cello
Anthony Marwood
violin
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Susie Park
violin
Cara Pogossian
viola
Raman Ramakrishnan
cello
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Melissa Reardon
viola
Meet The Composers
Ludwig van Beethoven
1770-1827
Ludwig van Beethoven was a German composer and pianist, considered one of the greatest in Western music history. Born in Bonn, he moved to Vienna where he studied with Haydn and became a renowned performer. Despite gradually going deaf, he composed iconic works like the Fifth and Ninth Symphonies, Moonlight Sonata, and Fidelio. His music bridged the Classical and Romantic eras, known for emotional depth and innovation. Beethoven’s legacy endures through his powerful, transformative influence on music and culture.
Beethoven’s String Quartet No. 1 in F major, Op. 18 No. 1 is the first of six quartets in his Op. 18 set, composed between 1798 and 1800. Though influenced by Haydn and Mozart, it showcases Beethoven’s emerging personal voice. The second movement, marked Adagio affettuoso ed appassionato, is said to be inspired by the tomb scene in Romeo and Juliet, reflecting deep emotion and drama. The quartet combines Classical elegance with bold contrasts and innovation, marking a significant early step in Beethoven’s chamber music evolution.
Johannes Brahms
1833-1897
Johannes Brahms was a German composer and pianist of the Romantic era, renowned for his symphonies, concertos, chamber works, piano pieces, choral compositions, and over 200 songs. Born in Hamburg, he gained early recognition with support from Robert and Clara Schumann. Brahms's music is celebrated for its structural mastery and emotional depth, blending classical traditions with Romantic expressiveness. He spent much of his career in Vienna, where he became a central figure in the musical community. His works, including the German Requiem and four symphonies, remain staples of the classical repertoire.
Brahms composed his String Sextet No. 2 in G major, Op. 36, between 1864 and 1865. Scored for two violins, two violas, and two cellos, the work is structured in four movements: Allegro non troppo, Scherzo (Allegro non troppo – Presto giocoso), Poco adagio, and Poco allegro. Notably, Brahms embedded the name of his former love, Agathe von Siebold, into the music through a musical motif spelling "Agathe" . The sextet premiered in Boston on October 11, 1866, and is celebrated for its rich textures and emotional depth.
Sergei Sergeyevich Prokofiev
1891-1953
Sergei Sergeyevich Prokofiev was a Russian composer, pianist, and conductor renowned for his innovative contributions to 20th-century music. A child prodigy, he began composing at age five and studied at the St. Petersburg Conservatory. His works span various genres, including symphonies, concertos, operas, ballets, and film scores. Notable compositions include Peter and the Wolf, Romeo and Juliet, and the Classical Symphony. Prokofiev's music is characterized by its melodic inventiveness, rhythmic vitality, and harmonic boldness. After years abroad, he returned to the Soviet Union in 1936, where he navigated the complexities of artistic expression under political scrutiny. He remains a pivotal figure in classical music history.
Prokofiev's Romeo and Juliet suites, derived from his 1935 ballet, distill Shakespeare's tragic tale into vivid orchestral form. He crafted three suites—Op. 64bis, Op. 64ter, and Op. 101—featuring selections like "The Montagues and the Capulets," "The Young Juliet," and "The Death of Tybalt." These pieces showcase Prokofiev's signature blend of lyrical melodies, rhythmic vitality, and dramatic intensity. Notably, the suites' movements are not arranged in narrative order but are curated for concert performance, highlighting the ballet's emotional breadth and Prokofiev's compositional prowess.