Beethoven Unleashed: Pain and Persistence

This week, Donald Macleod reaches the final chapters of his
year-long biography of Beethoven. The composer’s remaining years,
1825-1827, were marred by failing health and a traumatic family
crisis but also saw Beethoven pushing resolutely forward in his
art. He continued to surprise and astonish, producing a series of
extraordinary late string quartets. 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.


Music Featured:


Piano Sonata No. 29 Op.106 ‘Hammerklavier’ (I. Allegro) String
Quartet in E flat, Op.127 (III. Scherzando vivace) String Quartet
in A minor, Op. 132 (III. Molto Adagio) Kühl, nicht lau, WoO.191
Ars Longa, vita brevis, WoO.192 Piano Concerto No. 4 in G (II.
Andante con moto) Piano Trio in D, Op. 70 No. 1 ‘Ghost’ (I.
Allegro vivace e con brio) String Quartet in A minor, Op. 132
(II. Allegro ma non tanto) Piano Sonata No. 23 in F minor, Op. 57
‘Appassionata’ (I. Allegro Assai) Grosse Fugue, Op. 133 String
Quartet in B flat, Op. 130 (IV. Alla danza tedesca ) String
Quartet in A minor, Op. 132 (V. Allegro appassionato) String
Quartet in B flat, Op. 130 (II. Presto & III. Andante con
moto ma non troppo) Septet, Op. 20 (I. Adagio – Allegro con brio)
String Quartet in C sharp minor, Op. 131 (I. Adagio, ma non
troppo e molto expressive) String Quartet in C sharp minor, Op.
131 (mvts. V-VII) String Quartet in E flat Op. 127 (IV. Finale,
Allegro) Piano Trio in D, Op. 70 No. 1 ‘Ghost’ (III. Presto)
String Quartet in B flat, Op. 130 (V. Cavatina & VI. Finale)
Mass in C, Op. 86, I. Kyrie String Quartet in F, Op. 135 (I.
Allegretto & II. Vivace) String Quartet in A minor, Op. 132
(I. Assai sostenunto – Allegro) Andante maestoso in C major,
WoO.62 Piano Concerto No. 2 in B flat (II. Adagio) Piano Sonata
No. 14 in C sharp minor, Op. 27 No. 2 ‘Moonlight’ (I. Andante
sostenuto) Beethoven. Symphony No. 5 in C minor (IV. Allegro)


Presented by Donald Mcleod Produced by Chris Taylor


For full track listings, including artist and recording details,
and to listen to the pieces featured in full (for 30 days after
broadcast) head to the series page for Beethoven Unleashed: Pain
and Persistence https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000pw2z


And you can delve into the A-Z of all the composers we’ve
featured on Composer of the Week here:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/3cjHdZlXwL7W41XGB77X3S0/composers-a-to-z