American Repertory Ballet Hosts 'On Pointe' Talk BEHIND THE MUSIC: BEETHOVEN Today

Tonight, January 15, 2016 at 5:15 p.m., American Repertory Ballet (ARB) will host "Behind the Music: Beethoven," an On Pointe lecture featuring guest expert Maestro Michael Pratt. This event will be held at ARB's Princeton studios at 301 North Harrison Street, above McCaffrey's Supermarket.

In his role as Director of the Program in Musical Performance at Princeton University, Maestro Pratt has led many performances of Beethoven's works. On April 8, 2016, Maestro Pratt will lead the Princeton University Orchestra in a live performance of Beethoven's Symphony No. 7 as part of ARB's Masters of Dance and Music performance. ARB Resident Choreographer Mary Barton is preparing a world premiere work to this music.

At "Behind the Music: Beethoven," ARB Artistic Director Douglas Martin will lead a discussion with Maestro Pratt about Beethoven's life and work.

"Beethoven is the Bach of his time," says Martin. "He is the Stravinsky of his time. He is a great innovator of music in the early 19th century. He changed music! And Maestro Pratt will tell us why!"

ARB launched On Pointe in October 2010 as part of the organization's larger strategy to make ballet more accessible to the community. On Pointe allows the community to interact with the acclaimed artists and collaborators involved with ARB in an intimate setting. For more information, visit www.arballet.org.

Photo Credit: Leighton Chen