Chamber music: Beethoven's Septet

In his early years, Ludwig van Beethoven composed his Septet in E-flat major , a pristine Classical work following in Mozart’s footsteps. Far removed from his later heroic style, Beethoven eventually dismissed it as a youthful indiscretion. Yet, its enduring popularity speaks for itself. Paired with this is Jakob Fliedl’s Shadow Plays , written for the exact same ensemble. This suggestive contemporary work teems with shifting textures, echoes, and silhouettes. A compelling encounter between two worlds, each with the spirit of its time in its own way.