Beethoven Unleashed: Hero

Donald Macleod explores the triumphs, friends and foes of Beethoven’s ‘heroic’ phase.

This week, Donald Macleod follows Ludwig van Beethoven through the years of 1804-1806; the beginning of what many commentators have called his ‘heroic’ phase. Having weathered a profound psychological crisis, triggered by his failing hearing, Beethoven now throws himself into his composing with renewed energy and strength of spirit. However, that same passionate nature also leads to frequent conflicts. 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: Variations on an original theme, Op 35 ‘Eroica Variations’ Symphony No 3 'Eroica' String Quartet, Op 59 No 1, 'Rasumovsky', Violin Sonata in A major, Op 47 ‘Kreutzer’ Romance in F, Op 50 Piano Sonata No 13, Op 27 No 1 An die Hoffnung, Op 32 Piano Sonata No 15, Op 28 ‘Pastorale’ Piano Concerto No 4 Leonore (1806 version) Act 1, “O wär ich schon mit dir vereint” Piano Sonata No 22 in F, Op 54 Leonore (1806 version) Act II, Quartet “Er sterbe!” Violin Sonata Op 12 No 1, II. Tema con variazioni: Andante con moto Leonore (1806 version) Act II, Duet “O namenlose Freude!” Leonore Overture No 3, Op 72b Sonata for Cello and Piano, Op 102 No 1 Bagatelle in B minor, Op 126 No 4 String Quartet in F, Op 59 No 1 Piano Sonata No 23, Op 57 ‘Appassionata’ Violin Concerto, Op 61 6 Ecossaises, WoO 83 Piano Concerto No 3, String Quartet Op 59 No 3

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: Hero https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000k28m

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