Museum Geelvinck launches ‘Beethoven is Black’

On the occasion of the ICOM International Museum Day 2021 on 18^th May, Museum Geelvinck launches its dedicated website ‘Beethoven is Black’. This project addresses classical music in its historical context from the perspective of diversity and inclusivity. It includes an international panel conversation and a video-podcast series with performances on period pianos and interviews with musicians of color.

Panel conversation

June 4^th will be the kick-off with a panel conversation on the topic how musicians of color relate to classical music in its historical context. Also, diversity and inclusivity in the sector today will be part of the conversation. In the panel will participate the musicians Patricia-Ann Neely, Luke Welch, Ronald Snijders and other. It will be moderated by the Surinamese-Dutch television anker Noraly Beyer. The event will take place in Amsterdam South-East and will have a mainly online character.

Video-podcast

On the 5^th of June, the musical video-podcast will start. In eight weekly episodes, the celebrated Surinamese-Dutch actress Gerda Havertong interviews musicians of color. These include Ronald Snijders, James Oesi and Shuann Chai. They perform works by Beethoven and by composers of color from the extensive 19^th century on original period pianos.

Museum Geelvinck is keeper of the largest Dutch collection of stringed keyboard instruments from the 18^th and 19^th centuries.

Registration for the panel conversation is now open. More information: www.beethovenisblack.nl (click on the English flag)

Press contact

Dunya Verwey, tel 0654794606 of verwey@geelvinck.nl

Museum Geelvinck

Amsterdam – Heerde

Netherlands

Phone +31.20 6390747 / +31.578695670