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Beethoven Unleashed: Getting to grips with Beethoven

What is it about Beethoven's music that has made it a concert hall staple for over 200 years? Tom Service goes in search of the essence of what makes Beethoven Beethoven.

Beethoven: deaf for most of his life, unbearable egotist, flagrant opportunist and musical anarchist whose music reaches the heights of ecstasy. Where do you start with this bundle of contradictions, probably the most admired composer in western music, whose works have unfailingly filled concert halls for over 200 years? Tom Service goes in search of what makes Beethoven Beethoven and suggests a few key pieces to help unlock the man and his music.

David Papp (producer)

Available now

30 minutes

Last on

Sun 4 Sep 2022 17:00
BBC Radio 3

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Music Played

  • Ludwig van Beethoven

    Egmont - incidental music Op.84

    Conductor: Riccardo Chailly. Performer: Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra.
    • DECCA.
    • 4783492.

  • Ludwig van Beethoven

    Symphony no. 5 in C minor Op.67

    Conductor: Carlos Kleiber. Performer: Vienna Philharmonic.
    • DG.
    • 4474002.

  • Ludwig van Beethoven

    Bagatelle (fur Elise) in A minor WoO.59 for piano

    Performer: Steven Osborne.
    • Hyperion.
    • CDA67879.

  • Ludwig van Beethoven

    Symphony no. 9 in D minor Op.125 (Choral)

    Conductor: Claudio Abbado. Performer: Berliner Philharmoniker. Performer: Eric Ericsons Kammarkör.
    • DG.
    • 4714912.

  • Ludwig van Beethoven

    Piano Sonata no. 29 in B flat major Op.106 (Hammerklavier)

    Performer: Steven Osborne.
    • HYPERION.
    • CDA68073.

  • Chuck Berry

    Roll Over Beethoven

    Performer: Chuck Berry.
    • Music Club.
    • MCCD-019.

  • Ludwig van Beethoven

    Symphony no. 6 in F major Op.68 (Pastoral)

    Conductor: Charles Mackerras. Performer: Scottish Chamber Orchestra.
    • HYPERION.
    • CDS 443015.

  • Ludwig van Beethoven

    5 Variations on 'Rule Britannia' in D major WoO.79 for piano

    Performer: Cédric Tiberghien.
    • Harmonia Mundi.
    • HMC901775.

  • Ludwig van Beethoven

    7 Variations on 'God save the King' in C major WoO.78 for piano

    Performer: Cédric Tiberghien.
    • Harmonia Mundi.
    • HMC901775.

  • Ludwig van Beethoven

    Der Glorreiche Augenblick - cantata Op.136 for soloists, chorus, children and orchestra

    Performer: City of London Choir. Performer: Choir of Westminster Abbey. Performer: Westminster Cathedral Choir.
    • Naxos.
    • 8572783.

  • Ludwig van Beethoven

    Wellingtons Sieg or Die Schlacht bei Vittoria Op.91 (Battle symphony)

    Conductor: Neville Marriner. Performer: Academy of St Martin in the Fields.
    • philips.
    • 4262392.

  • Ludwig van Beethoven

    Symphony no. 1 in C major Op.21

    Conductor: Charles Mackerras. Performer: Scottish Chamber Orchestra.
    • HYPERION.
    • CDS 443015.

  • Ludwig van Beethoven

    Piano Sonata in C sharp minor Op.27`2 (Moonlight)

    Performer: Stephen Kovacevich.
    • warner classics.
    • 6230812.

  • Ludwig van Beethoven

    Concerto no. 5 in E flat major Op.73 (Emperor) for piano and orchestra

    Performer: Murray Perahia.
    • Sony.
    • 88697102902.

  • Ludwig van Beethoven

    String Quartet in B flat major Op.130 vers. with Grosse Fuge finale

    Performer: Artemis String Quartet.
    • ERATO.
    • 0708582.

  • Ludwig van Beethoven

    Symphony no. 6 in F major Op.68 (Pastoral)

    Conductor: Charles Mackerras. Performer: Scottish Chamber Orchestra.
    • HYPERION.
    • CDS 443015.

Broadcasts

  • Fri 24 Jan 2020 16:30
    BBC Radio 3
  • Sun 19 Jul 2020 19:00
    BBC Radio 3
  • Fri 24 Jul 2020 16:30
    BBC Radio 3
  • Sun 4 Sep 2022 17:00
    BBC Radio 3

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