32 Bright Clouds

32 Bright Clouds: Beethoven Conversations Around the World is a global music-commissioning, performing and recording project. Curated and performed by pianist Yaël Weiss, this groundbreaking project commissions new works from 32 countries of conflict and secluded areas spanning the globe, all united through musical themes from Beethoven. 32 Bright Clouds aims to harness music’s great power for unity and peace.

All new compositions from around the world are unified by a single “Peace” motif from Beethoven's Missa Solemnis, creating a cohesive cycle of works. The motif was selected because of Beethoven’s compelling inscription "A Call for Inward and Outward Peace" above the notes. Beethoven's dedication expresses the overall essence, purpose, and character of 32 Bright Clouds. More

Wednesday, December 16th, 9am - 9pm
A Live Beethoven Marathon Event

Join this festive live celebration of Beethoven’s 250th Anniversary,
including performances, conversations and 13 guest composers from around the world!

Full Program Details

In the news

October 7, 2022: Nobel Prize Pieces

December 21, 2020: Pianist Yael Weiss hosts a global celebration of Beethoven’s 250th birthday

December 15, 2020: 12-hour marathon to mark Beethoven’s birthday and seek world peace

October 17, 2020: Yael Weiss on NPR’s All Things Considered, speaking about the 32 Bright Clouds project

October 13, 2020: Yael Weiss visits “Between the Keys” to speak about the 32 Bright Clouds project

October 3, 2020: A Tempo: Pianist's Beethoven Tribute Features Commissions Bridging Conflict, Hope and Peace

September 29, 2020: 32 Bright Clouds: Insider Interview with Pianist Yael Weiss

Southwestern University Fine Arts, September 2019: Yael Weiss’s “32 Bright Clouds” Finds New Harmony in Beethoven

NYFA Current, June 2019: Conversations | Yael Weiss’s Global Commissioning Project, “32 Bright Clouds”

Yahoo News AFP, January 2019: Composers Draw Out Peace from Beethoven in New Works

DC Metro Theater Arts, January 2019: Yael Weiss Premieres “32 Bright Clouds: Beethoven Conversations Around the World” at Strathmore

Washington Jewish Week, January 2019: Beethoven Sonatas Inspire 21st-Century Composers

Voice of America, January 2019: Concert Asks Composers to Create Works About War and Intolerance

*"A Call for Inward and Outward Peace"*

- Ludwig Van Beethoven

PERFORMANCES

October 29, 2023 Beethoven and “32 Bright Clouds” Recital, Niigata, Japan

October 28, 2023 Beethoven and “32 Bright Clouds” Recital, Tokyo, Japan

June 23, 2023 Beethoven and “32 Bright Clouds", Bloomington, IN

October 7, 2022 32 Bright Clouds Recital at BargeMusic, New York City

December 16, 2020 32 Bright Clouds Virtual Marathon in Celebration of Beethoven’s 250th Birthday
Live Streamed Online

December 4, 2020 32 Bright Clouds Lecture at the Schubert Club, Westport, CT
Virtual Presentation

November 15, 2020 32 Bright Clouds Recital for the Neskowin Chamber Series, Pacific City, OR

November 12, 2020 32 Bright Clouds Recital at the Tassel Performing Arts Center, Holdrege, Nebraska

November 8, 2020 32 Bright Clouds Recital for the Cecilian Chamber Series, Regina, Canada

November 5, 2020 32 Bright Clouds Recital at Adelphi University, New York
Virtual Live-Streamed Concert

October 17, 2020 32 Bright Clouds Recital at the Smithsonian National Museum of Asian Art, Washington DC
Virtual Live-Streamed Concert

October 6, 2020 32 Bright Clouds Recital, Baruch Performing Arts Center at Baruch College, New York, NY
Virtual Live-Streamed Concert

“Yael Weiss showed herself to be a pianist who delves deeply and tellingly into that cloudy area where fantasy morphs into improvisation, inventiveness being common to both.”
— The Washington Post

“remarkably powerful and intense… fine technique and musicianship in the service of an arresting array of music”
— The New York Times