Beethoven Unleashed: Piano Sonatas

This week, the world-renowned pianist Angela Hewitt chooses five
contrasting aspects of the piano sonatas to discuss with Donald
Macleod. In 2020, Hewitt reaches the end of her survey of
Beethoven’s piano works with the last recording in her acclaimed
series of his 32 piano sonatas. Begun in 2005, her Beethoven
odyssey has been taken at a deliberately measured pace, to give
ample space and time to reflect on each sonata, each recording
being a testament to her deep understanding of Beethoven. Well
known for her award-winning interpretation of Bach’s music, she
brings that special insight to Beethoven’s profound admiration
for the composer, after which she explores the humour Beethoven
injects into his music, the composer’s ability to write cantabile
or singing style and how Beethoven responded to the advancement
of the piano.


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 1 in F minor, Op 2 No 1 (I. Allegro) Piano Sonata
No 2 in A major, Op 2 No 2 (IV. Rondo: Grazioso) Piano Sonata No
3 in C major, Op 2 No 3 (II. Adagio) Piano Sonata No 3 in C
major, Op 2 No 3 (IV. Allegro assai) Piano Sonata No 7 in D
major, Op 10 No 3 (II. Largo e mesto) Piano Sonata No 3 in C
major, Op 2 No 3 (III. Scherzo) Bach: Partita No 2 in C minor,
BWV 826 (excerpt) Piano Sonata No 8 in C minor, Op 13
(Pathétique) (I. Grave – Allegro di molto e con brio) Piano
Sonata No 28 in A major, Op 101 (IV. Allegro Geschwind) Bach:
Fugue No 17 in A flat major, BWV 862 (excerpt) Piano Sonata No 31
in A flat major, Op 110 (III. Fuga: Allegro ma non troppo) Piano
Sonata No 30 in E major, Op 109 (III. Andante molto cantabile ed
expressive) Piano Sonata No 25 in G major, Op 79 (II. Andante)
Piano Sonata No 11 in B flat major, Op 22 (II. Adagio con molta
espressione) Piano Sonata No 27 in E minor, Op 90 (I. Nicht zu
geschwind und sehr singbar vorgetragen) Piano Sonata No 28 in A
major, Op 101 (I. Allegretto ma non troppo) Piano Sonata No 16 in
G major, Op 31 No 1 (II. Adagio grazioso) Piano Sonata No 8 in C
minor, Op 13 (Pathétique) (II. Adagio con espressione) Piano
Sonata No 10 in G major, Op 14 No 2 (II. Andante) Piano Sonata No
16 in G major, Op 31 No 1 (I. Allegro vivace) Piano Sonata No 6
in F major, Op 10 No 2 (III. Presto) Piano Sonata No 18 in E flat
major, Op 31 No 3 Piano Sonata No 23 in F minor (Appassionata),
Op 57 (I. Allegro assai) Piano Sonata No 17 in D minor (Tempest),
Op 31 No 2 (II: Adagio) Piano Sonata No 29 in B flat major
(Hammerklavier), Op 106 (I. Allegro) Piano Sonata No 26 in E flat
major, Op 81a (Les adieux) (II. Abwesenheit & III: Das
Wiedersehen)


Presented by Donald Macleod Produced by Johannah Smith for BBC
Wales


For full tracklistings, 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: Piano
Sonatas https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000nlwr


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