The renowned German composer and pianist, Beethoven, debuted his infamous Ninth Symphony in 1824, in the midst of his hearing loss journey. 200 years later on, the BBC Proms remembers Beethoven’s masterpiece, with a special re-enactment of the symphony in British Sign Language. This year, actors explored the symphony through BSL, followed by the Aurora Orchestra performing the 90-minute piece entirely from memory.
In an interview, Rhiannon May, who plays Beethoven stated that, “Often it’s seen that deaf people and music don’t really go together, but that’s just not true”. The combination of BSL actors and the orchestra highlights that this symphony can be enjoyed and made accessible for both deaf and hearing individuals. Indeed, deaf people can experience the music through vibrations, however, adding in the visual elements to the performance is a spectacle for both deaf and hearing watchers.
Those who want to watch this, can stream into BBC Four this evening (Friday 30th August) at 20:00BST. The performance will be one of two halves. The first half will explore conversations with friends. Namely, Rhiannon May and interpreter, Thomas Simpner will bring to life excerpts from Beethoven’s notepads that document his conversations during his struggle with hearing loss. In the second half, the Aurora Orchestra will come to life, as they perform the symphony, all from memory. The conversations will highlight how Beethoven led a normal life, full of highs and lows, whilst also shedding a light on his experiences of hearing loss.
According to Nicholas Collon, who conducts the Aurora Orchestra, Beethoven “couldn’t hear” in “the last decades of his life and yet he still manages to write music which is aspiring to uplift humanity”. Indeed, “it is extraordinary what he did in terms of his capacity for composition whilst also deaf”.
Overall, this unique BBC Proms performance not only plays tribute to Beethoven’s career but also highlights the importance of inclusivity within the realm of music. Through an incorporation of BSL into the Ninth Symphony, the boundaries of music are broken, illuminating the notion that music can transcend auditory constraints. The combination of BSL and live orchestral music offers a more immersive experience for both deaf and hearing audiences. Indeed, this collaboration exemplifies how classical music can be reinvented in a manner that is accessible to all.
