Beethoven Unleashed: Piano Sonatas

This week, the world-renowned pianist Angela Hewitt chooses five contrasting aspects of the piano sonatas to discuss with Donald Macleod. In 2020, Hewitt reaches the end of her survey of Beethoven’s piano works with the last recording in her acclaimed series of his 32 piano sonatas. Begun in 2005, her Beethoven odyssey has been taken at a deliberately measured pace, to give ample space and time to reflect on each sonata, each recording being a testament to her deep understanding of Beethoven. Well known for her award-winning interpretation of Bach’s music, she brings that special insight to Beethoven’s profound admiration for the composer, after which she explores the humour Beethoven injects into his music, the composer’s ability to write cantabile or singing style and how Beethoven responded to the advancement of the piano.

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:

Piano Sonata No 1 in F minor, Op 2 No 1 (I. Allegro) Piano Sonata No 2 in A major, Op 2 No 2 (IV. Rondo: Grazioso) Piano Sonata No 3 in C major, Op 2 No 3 (II. Adagio) Piano Sonata No 3 in C major, Op 2 No 3 (IV. Allegro assai) Piano Sonata No 7 in D major, Op 10 No 3 (II. Largo e mesto) Piano Sonata No 3 in C major, Op 2 No 3 (III. Scherzo) Bach: Partita No 2 in C minor, BWV 826 (excerpt) Piano Sonata No 8 in C minor, Op 13 (Pathétique) (I. Grave – Allegro di molto e con brio) Piano Sonata No 28 in A major, Op 101 (IV. Allegro Geschwind) Bach: Fugue No 17 in A flat major, BWV 862 (excerpt) Piano Sonata No 31 in A flat major, Op 110 (III. Fuga: Allegro ma non troppo) Piano Sonata No 30 in E major, Op 109 (III. Andante molto cantabile ed expressive) Piano Sonata No 25 in G major, Op 79 (II. Andante) Piano Sonata No 11 in B flat major, Op 22 (II. Adagio con molta espressione) Piano Sonata No 27 in E minor, Op 90 (I. Nicht zu geschwind und sehr singbar vorgetragen) Piano Sonata No 28 in A major, Op 101 (I. Allegretto ma non troppo) Piano Sonata No 16 in G major, Op 31 No 1 (II. Adagio grazioso) Piano Sonata No 8 in C minor, Op 13 (Pathétique) (II. Adagio con espressione) Piano Sonata No 10 in G major, Op 14 No 2 (II. Andante) Piano Sonata No 16 in G major, Op 31 No 1 (I. Allegro vivace) Piano Sonata No 6 in F major, Op 10 No 2 (III. Presto) Piano Sonata No 18 in E flat major, Op 31 No 3 Piano Sonata No 23 in F minor (Appassionata), Op 57 (I. Allegro assai) Piano Sonata No 17 in D minor (Tempest), Op 31 No 2 (II: Adagio) Piano Sonata No 29 in B flat major (Hammerklavier), Op 106 (I. Allegro) Piano Sonata No 26 in E flat major, Op 81a (Les adieux) (II. Abwesenheit & III: Das Wiedersehen)

Presented by Donald Macleod Produced by Johannah Smith 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: Piano Sonatas https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000nlwr

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