Luise Adolpha Le Beau (1850-1927)

Donald Macleod delves into the life of Luise Adolpha Le Beau

Luise Adolpha Le Beau was a German composer, concert pianist, teacher and music critic. Although her music was performed as far afield as Calcutta and Sydney, her story is one of continual struggle for recognition and respect. Le Beau frequently met opposition to her works and to performance opportunities, Despite these set-backs, Le Beau forged her own path as a composer not only with works for her own instrument, the piano, but also with chamber music, opera, a symphony and many songs. She was determined to succeed, but after her death, without anyone to promote her works on her behalf, Le Beau soon fell into obscurity and was largely forgotten. This week, Donald Macleod is joined by guest Dr Katy Hamilton to shine a light on Le Beau’s music

Music Featured:

Piano Concerto in D minor, Op 37 (excerpt) Fantasiestück, Op 1 No 1 (Drei Klavierstücke) Fünf Lieder, Op 7 (excerpt) Piano Concerto in D minor, Op 37 (Allegro maestoso) Piano Sonata, Op 8 (excerpt) Violin Sonata, Op 10 Mazurka, Op 57 No 3 (Drei Klavierstücke) Polonaise, Op 26 No 3 (Drei Stücke) Theme and Variations, Op 3 Fünf Lieder, Op 11 (excerpt) Piano Trio, Op 15 Concert Overture in F major, Op 23 Eight Preludes, Op 12 No 2 (Munter) Romance, Op 35 Vier Stücke, for cello and piano, Op 24 Fünf Lieder, Op 11 (excerpt) Improvisata for left hand, Op 30 Gavotte, Op 32 Piano Concerto in D minor, Op 37 (excerpt) Eight Preludes, Op 12 No 8 (Mit Grazie) Nachstück, Op 26 No 2 (Drei Stücke) Deutscher Regien, Klavierstück, Op 49 Piano Quartet, Op 28 Drei Lieder, Op 39 Symphony in F major, Op 41 (Allegro con fuoco) Gigue, Op 48 No 3 (Danze Antiche) Vater unser, Op 61 Symphony in F major, Op 41 (Adagio) Cello Sonata, Op 17 Barcarole, Op 59 Abendklänge, Op 63 Symphony in F major, Op 41 (excerpt)

Presented by Donald Macleod Produced by Luke Whitlock for BBC Audio Wales & West

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 Donald Macleod delves into the life of Luise Adolpha Le Beau (1850-1927) https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0025cfl

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