Beethoven Unleashed: Return to Form

Donald Macleod explores the enduring power, pathos and innovation
of Beethoven’s late string quartets with guests Laura Tunbridge
and Edward Dusinberre.


Just two years before he died, Beethoven returned to an old
treasured form, the string quartet. The five quartets he ended up
writing would come to be his final major works, and would change
the paradigm beyond recognition. Though dismissed by audiences in
their day, their composition is now considered a pivotal moment
not only in Beethoven’s life, but in the history of classical
music. Donald is joined by musicologist Laura Tunbridge, and
violinist Edward Dusinberre of the Takács Quartet, to discuss
these extraordinary, watershed works that have bewildered and
beguiled listeners ever since their creation. Throughout the
week, they focus on each of the five late quartets, uncovering
the stories, circumstances and conversations that surround them.


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: String Quartet No 12 in E flat, Op 127 Symphony
No 9 (Finale, part 1) Bagatelle in E flat, Op 126 No 3 String
Quartet in A minor, Op 132 Fidelio, Act I: ‘Abscheulicher, wo
eilst du hin?‘ String Quartet in B flat major, Op 130 Piano
Sonata in G major, Op 79 Grosse Fuge, Op 133 Piano Sonata No 30,
Op 109 (1st movement) String Quartet in C sharp minor, Op 131 Lob
auf der Dicken, WoO 100 Falstafferel, WoO 184 String Quartet in F
major, Op 135 Coriolan Overture, Op 62


Presented by Donald Macleod Produced by Amelia Parker 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:
Return to Form https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000jnlz


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