Beethoven Unleashed: Titan

This week, Donald Macleod explores Ludwig van Beethoven’s life through the years of 1822-1824 – a period during which the composer completed his greatest late masterpieces. It was also a time at which Beethoven became acutely aware of his own mortality, struggling with both his dwindling finances and his deteriorating health, and sought help from, among others, his brother Johann and a new secretary - Anton Schindler.

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:

Symphony No. 9, Op. 125 (II. Molto Vivace – Presto) Missa Solemnis, Op.123 - Sanctus - Pleni sunt cœli - Osanna Music for Consecration of the House, WoO. 98 Fidelio, Op.72 - O namenlose Freude! Piano Sonata no 32 in C minor, Op.111 Bundeslied, Op. 122 “In allen guten Stunden” String Quartet in E-flat major, Op.127 (I. Maestoso – Allegro) Missa Solemnis, Op.123 - Credo: Credo - Et Incarnatus Est Bagatelles, Op 119 nos. 1-6 Missa Solemnis, Op.123 - Gloria Gratulations Menuett, WoO 3 Missa Solemnis, Op.123 - Credo: Et ressurexit Opferlied, Op.121b Diabelli Variations, Op.120 (Nos 30, 32 & 33) Symphony no. 9, Op.125 (I. Allegro ma non troppo) Ta ta ta, WoO162 Consecration of House Overture, Op.124 Missa Solemnis, Op.123 - Agnus Dei: Dona Nobis Pacem Waltz in E-flat major, WoO 84 Symphony no.9, Op.125 (III. Adagio molto e cantabile) Piano Sonata No. 17 in D minor, Op. 31 No. 2 'Tempest' - III. Allegretto Missa Solemnis, Op.123 – Kyrie: Kyrie Eleison Der Kuss, Op.128 Symphony No. 9, Op.125 (IV. Presto - Allegro ma non troppo) Bagatelles for piano, op.126

Presented by Donald Mcleod

Producer: Sam Phillips

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: Titan https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000p01c

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