Beethoven Unleashed: Fate

Donald Macleod continues his journey through the life of Ludwig van Beethoven.

In this week’s episode, 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 will be 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 Concerto No 3, III. Rondo Piano Sonata No 10 in G major, Op 14, No 2 Music: Symphony No 1, IV. Adagio – Allegro molto e vivace Septet Op. 20 (movts 4-6) Piano Sonata No 13 in Eb major, op 27 No 1, I. Andante String Quartet Op 18, No 3, I. Allegro, II. Andante con moto) Piano Sonata No 11 in Bb, Op 22 III. Minuetto & IV. Rondo Violin Sonata Op 23 Piano Sonata No.8 in C minor Op. 13 ‘Pathetique’ String Quintet in C, Op 29, II Adagio molto espressivo & IV. Presto Symphony No.5, IV. Allegro Symphony No 3 ‘Eroica’, III. Scherzo Horn Sonata Op 17 Cello Sonata Op 5 No 2, I. Adagio sostenuto e espressivo & II. Allegro molto più tosto presto Piano Sonata No 15 in D, Op 28 ‘Pastoral’, I. Allegro Piano Sonata No 14 in C# minor, Op 27 No 2 ‘Moonlight’ String Quartet Op 18 No 1, II. Adagio affettuoso ed appassionato Prometheus (extracts from the complete Ballet Music)

Presented by Donald Macleod Produced by Chris Taylor 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: Fate https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000hflg

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