Beethoven's Sixth & Sō Percussion
Beethoven’s pastoral sixth symphony, described by the composer as “Recollections of Country Life,” evokes scenes of nature and the serene beauty of the countryside. Carlos Simon’s lively Four Black American Dances showcases dance styles with cultural significance to Black American communities. Princeton’s own Sō Percussion performs Viet Cuong’s Re(new)al, a fascinating work inspired by the power of hydro, wind, and solar energies.
"Through a mix of consummate skill and quirky charm, this mercurial quartet has helped to ignite an explosive new enthusiasm for percussion music old and new." –The New York Times
Due to the length and type of performance, this concert is not suitable for children under the age of 5.
Photo by Anja Schütz
Program
Carlos SIMON / Four Black American Dances
Viet CUONG / Re(new)al
Ludwig van BEETHOVEN / Symphony No. 6 in F Major, Op. 68 "Pastoral"
Key Notes 
- Carlos Simon’s Four Black American Dances was commissioned by the Boston Symphony Orchestra and premiered in 2023.
- Viet Cuong writes: “Re(new)al is a percussion quartet concerto that is…devoted to finding unexpected ways to breathe new life into traditional ideas, and the solo quartet therefore performs on several “found” instruments, including crystal glasses and compressed air cans. And while the piece also features more traditional instruments, such as snare drum and vibraphone, I looked for ways to either alter their sounds or find new ways to play them.”
- Beethoven provided titles for only two of his symphonies: the “Pastoral” and the “Eroica”. The Symphony No. 6 also contains descriptive titles for each movement, giving the listener guidance as to Beethoven’s intentions.
Performers
Rossen Milanov, conductor
Sō Percussion, percussion quartet
Media
Listen to a track of Sō Percussion's recent collaborative album with Caroline Shaw:
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