Museum Geelvinck Launches “Beethoven Is Black”

The Museum Geelvinck’s project ‘Beethoven is Black’ addresses topics of equal representation, inclusion and diversity in the world of early and classical music. They advocate more colors of all shades on stage, in the classrooms of music institutions and at all venues, where music is enjoyed. A diverse voice will not only enrich the sound of music but also nurtures the seeds for future generations of musicians to flourish.

4 June, 8 pm (CET), will be the kick-off with a panel conversation on the topic of how musicians of color relate to classical music in its historical context. Diversity and inclusivity in the sector today is part of the conversation. Keynote speaker will be Chi-chi Nwanoku, founding member of the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment and Chineke! Orchestra. On 18th September 2020, Chi-chi was a speaker at the REMA Symposium on Diversity in Early Music.

In their panel session will participate baroque violaist Patricia-Ann Neely (EMA Taskforce Inclusion and Diversity, US), pianist Luke Welch (Canada), Suriname-Dutch flutist Ronald Snijders, Orville Breeveld, Suriname-Dutch guitarist and podcast producer, and double bassist James Oesi (South Africa). The panel will be moderated by the Curaçao-Dutch television anchor Noraly Beyer. The event will take place in Amsterdam and will be mainly online

On 5 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, Shuann Chai and Shunske Sato. They perform works by Beethoven and by composers of color from the extensive 19th century on original period pianos.