Paul Carson

[p]Arguably the greatest music ever written, performed by the most amateur pianist you'll ever meet. The goal is to raise £10,000 through donations (and through ticket sales). In 2024, it'll be the 200th anniversary of the [url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7fQG4CcoRuM]premiere[/url] of [url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HV7bgY626rU]Beethoven's Ninth Symphony[/url]. To celebrate, I had the brilliant idea of learning to play it in its entirety - on a piano. [/p][p]Considered one of the most challenging pieces ever [url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iH5lhJrHXdw]transcribed for piano[/url] - you effectively play every instrument in an orchestra at the same time (plus voices of a chorus and tenor, alto, bass and soprano) - this is a monumental challenge. Luckily I have 4 years left to do it. [/p][p]On 7 May 2024, exactly 200 years later to the night, come and hear me [i]'perform'[/i] the symphony. A [url=http://beethoven9music.wordpress.com]blog[/url] will keep track of my progress, occasional ups, mostly downs and how my family will never want to hear this piece ever again. [/p][p]This is all for the benefit of [url=http://www.lebbs.org]Lincolnshire Emergency Blood Bikes Service[/url], a charity which is entirely run by donations, who are volunteers that deliver blood for the NHS in out of hours periods to save it considerable sums of money. I volunteer for this charity as a Night Rider.[/p][p]This is also a double edged sword - I'll be forced to practice piano! [url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Symphony_No._9_(Beethoven)]Beethoven's 9th[/url] fascinates me. Wrote by someone who became deaf, so never heard it, is revolutionary in its composition, and joyous in its message and meaning. Please support me - I'm going to need it.[/p][p]The concert itself will be performed in Lincoln on 7 May 2024 (get it in your diary now, just to make sure!) and will include a mini-presentation on the symphony itself, its history, musical theory and meaning. [/p]