Beethoven Unleashed: Restless Spirit

Donald Macleod follows Ludwig van Beethoven through the years 1807-1809.

This week, Donald Macleod explores Ludwig van Beethoven’s life through the years of 1807-1809. This was a period which ended with the traumatic second occupation of Vienna by Napoleon’s forces, and a time when Beethoven himself was feeling increasingly restless in the city after his plans to gain financial stability were thwarted.

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: Coriolan Overture, Op 62 Mass in C major, Op 86 (Credo & Agnus Dei) Piano Sonata No. 23 in F minor, Op 57 “Appassionata” (III. Allegro ma non troppo – Presto) Lob auf de Dicken, WoO 100 Quartet in E minor, Op 59 No 2 “Rasumovsky” (IV. Presto) Elegischer Gesang, Op 118 Symphony No 6 in F major, Op 68 “Pastoral Symphony” (1st and 2nd movements) Piano trio in D major, Op 70 No 1 “Ghost” (2nd movement) Six Goethe Songs, Op 75 No 6 (Der Zufriedene) 3 Songs, Op 83 No 3 (Mit einem gemalten Band) Mass in C major, Op 86 (Gloria) Piano Transcription of Violin Concerto, Op 61a (III. Rondo) Cello Sonata No 3 in A major, Op 69 (1st movement) Symphony No 5 in C minor, Op 67 (1st movement) In questa tomba oscura, WoO 133 3 Songs, Op 83 No (Wonne der Wehmut) Choral Fantasy, Op 80 Piano Concerto No 4 in G major, Op 58 (3rd movement) Piano Sonata No 24 in F sharp major, Op 78 “à Thérèse” Lied aus der ferne, WoO 137 March for Military Music, WoO 18 Piano Sonata No 26 in E flat major, Op 81a “Les adieux” (1st movement) Incidental Music to Egmont, Op 84 (1. Die Trommel geruhet; 2. Entr’acte I - Andante; 7. Clärchen’s Death; 9. Symphony of Victory) Piano Concerto No 5 in E flat major, Op 73 "Emperor” (1st movement) Sehnsucht, WoO 134

Presented by Donald Macleod Produced by Sam Philips 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: Restless Spirit https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000ktd9

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