Public Statements and Private Visions
Beethoven has charmed all Vienna with his music. His new challenge is to work out what kind of artist he really wants to be. Presented by Donald Macleod
Up to now Beethoven had used his musical talents to win the favour of the wealthiest music patrons in Vienna, to charm the public who attended his concerts, and to reel in customers for his publications. He’s beginning to see now that his musical path could take him on a very personal journey too. His new challenge is to work out what kind of artist he really wants to be.
All this week, Donald Macleod traces Beethoven’s story through the years 1799-1801. As he reaches his thirtieth birthday, we see Beethoven finally emerging as a mature composer and beginning to produce the enduring works that will mark him out as one of the great artists of his age. But there are clouds on the horizon too, and we see the first intimations of a serious problem with his hearing.
Composer of the Week is returning to the story of Beethoven’s life and music throughout 2020. Part of Radio 3’s Beethoven Unleashed season marking the 250th anniversary of Beethoven’s birth.
Piano Sonata No 14 in C# minor, Op 27 No 2 ‘Moonlight’
Louis Schwizgebel-Wang
String Quartet Op 18 No 1, II. Adagio affettuoso ed appassionato
Danish String Quartet
Prometheus (extracts from the complete Ballet Music)
Orchestra of the 18th Century, conducted by Franz Brüggen
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Ludwig van Beethoven
Piano Sonata No. 14 in C sharp minor, Op 27, No 2 'Moonlight' (1st mvt)
Performer: Louis Schwizgebel-Wang. -
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Ludwig van Beethoven
Piano Sonata No. 14 in C sharp minor, Op 27, No 2 'Moonlight' (2nd & 3rd mvt)
Performer: Louis Schwizgebel-Wang. -
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Ludwig van Beethoven
String Quartet in F major, Op 18, No 1 (2nd mvt)
Ensemble: Danish String Quartet. -
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Ludwig van Beethoven
The Creatures of Prometheus, Op 43 (extracts from the complete Ballet Music)
Orchestra: Orchestra of the Eighteenth Century. Conductor: Frans Brüggen.- PHILIPS : 446-702-2.
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Broadcast
- Fri 24 Apr 2020 12:00BBC Radio 3
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