Beethoven Unleashed: New Pathways

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 momentous years of 1802 and 1803. It was a time that saw remarkable developments in Beethoven’s creativity as he pursued a self-declared ‘new path’ for his music. He undertook his most ambitious works yet, pouring his whole self into his art. At the same time his personal life was reaching a crisis point that would plunge him to the darkest depths of despair and threaten to ruin all his carefully laid plans for the future.

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.4, IV. Allegro ma non troppo Piano Sonata No 21 in C major, Op 53 ‘Waldstein’, II & III Septet Op. 20, III. Tempo di Menuetto Sonata in G major for violin and piano, Op 30 No 3, II. Tempo di minuetto 6 Variations on an original theme in F major, Op 34 Piano Sonata No 17, Op.31 No.2 ‘The Tempest’, III. Allegretto Missa Solemnis: Kyrie Symphony No.2, Movts. III & IV Violin Sonata in A major Op.47 ‘Kreutzer’, II. Larghetto. Variations in Eb Op.35 ‘Eroica’, final movt. March (Fidelio, Act 1) Romance for violin and orchestra No 1, Op 40 5 Variations on “Rule Britannia” WoO 79 Christ on the Mount of Olives (extract) Symphony No.3 ‘Eroica’, IV.Finale String Quartet No 1 in F Op 18 No 1, III. Scherzo Violin Sonata in G major Op 30 No 3, I. Allegro assai Piano Sonata No 18 in E flat major, Op 31 No 3 String Quintet in C, Op 29, I.Allegro moderato Gellert Lieder, VI. Busslied Piano Sonata No 17, Op.31 No.2 ‘The Tempest’, II. Adagio Quintet for piano and winds Op 16. III. Rondo Andante Favori WoO 57 Violin Sonata in A major Op 47 ‘Kreutzer’ I. Adagio sostenuto - Presto Piano Sonata No 21 in C major Op 53 ‘Waldstein’, I. Allegro con brio

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: New Pathways https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000j8k8

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