Beethoven Walks

Beethoven Walks turns a walk in the woods into a concert hall.

Created by Yellow Barn and opened in honor of Beethoven's 250th birthday, Beethoven Walks pairs the music and manuscripts of Ludwig van Beethoven with two trails in Putney, Vermont. Along each trail, Music Posts display reproductions of Beethoven's sketches and autograph manuscripts — the same pages he filled while drawing inspiration from his own walks in nature. At each post, this app plays the work that those pages became.

Between the posts are Listening Places: quieter spots that invite a longer pause, where the music and the surrounding landscape can be heard together.

Two trails to choose from

- Greenwood Trail — 1.3 miles, about 60–70 minutes, with 50 minutes of music across five Music Posts. Hosted by the Greenwood School at 14 Greenwood Lane, Putney VT.
- Hannum Trail — 2.5 miles round trip, about 2.5–3 hours, with 90 minutes of music across nine Music Posts. Trailhead at 442 Holland Hill Road, Putney VT.

The music

Works include the Archduke Trio, the Emperor Concerto, the Pastoral Symphony, the Heiliger Dankgesang from Op. 132, the Kyrie from the Missa Solemnis, An die ferne Geliebte, the Piano Sonatas Op. 79 and Op. 110, and a late Bagatelle.

How to use the app

Pick a trail and the app guides you through it post by post. Tap a Music Post to start the corresponding work. The screen stays awake while you walk, and the app remembers where you left off so you can return to the same trail next time. We suggest listening without earphones — the music of the woods is part of the performance.

Driving directions to each trailhead are included.

"It is indeed, as if every tree in the countryside spoke to me, saying 'Holy! Holy!' In the forest enchantment! Who can express it all?"
— from Beethoven's sketchbook, 1815 or 1816

A project of Yellow Barn. Special thanks to the Greenwood School for hosting the Greenwood Trail.