WITH 2017 approaching it might be worth reflecting what the year will bring.
No doubt the terms of Britain’s exit from the European Union will be the main topic of debate, but there are a number of important anniversaries that still leave far reaching implications for today.
It was 500 years ago in 1517 that Martin Luther published his 95 theses challenging the authority of the Pope and the Catholic Church.
One hundred years ago in 1917 the Czarist monarchy was overthrown in Russia and Lenin created the world’s first Communist state.
It was also in 1917 that the United States entered the First World War.
All three events have profoundly helped shape the world we live in today.
2017 also marks the 190th anniversary of the death of Beethoven at the age of 56. Joseph Haydn lived to be 77. Who knows what further great masterpieces Beethoven might have composed if he had lived even another 10 years?
All of which reminds me that it was in 1817 that one of Beethoven’s finest piano sonatas – Opus 101 in A major was published and dedicated to one of his pupils Dorothea von Ertmann.
Martin Luther, Vladmir Lenin, Woodrow Wilson – all people with a great deal to say, but for me to listen to a Beethoven pupil such as Dorothea von Ertmann play would be the supreme choice!
Happy Christmas.
GORDON CANN
Craigmoor Avenue, Bournemouth
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