Composer of the Week

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

Donald Macleod explores Beethoven’s vocal music with Iain Burnside and Simone Young. In this week’s episode, Donald Macleod and his guests discuss some personal favourites from Beethoven's vocal music, taking in the giants of choral repertory like the Missa Solemnis and the ninth symphony, his opera Fidelio and orchestral vocal music, as well as relishing the astonishing variety of his song-writing, from the song cycle An die Ferne Geliebte and the most profoundly moving vocal masterpieces, to a comic song most likely dashed off to amuse friends in a bar. Composer of the Week will be 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: Christus am Ölberge, Op 85 Ein Selbstgespräch, WoO 144 Adelaide, Op 46 Funeral Cantata on the Death of Emperor Joseph II Christus am Olberge, Op 85 Aus Goethes Faust, Op 75, No 3 Der Wachtelschlag, WoO 129 L'amante impaziente, Op 82 (a pair of settings) Ah Perfido!, Op 65 Mass in C, Op 86 (Gloria, Sanctus & Benedictus) Klage, WoO 112 Neue Liebe, neues Leben, WoO 127 Fantasia for Piano, Choir and Orchestra in C minor op 80 Music, Love and Wine, Op 108, No 1 La Tiranna, WoO 125 Fidelio (Act 1), O welche Lust, in freier Luft (Prisoner’s Chorus) Fidelio (Act 1, Abscheulicher! Wo eilst du hin? Fidelio (Act 2), Introduction and Aria Gott! Welch’ Dunkel hier! In des Lebens Frühlingstagen An die Hoffnung, Op 94 Maigesang (Mailied), Op 52, No 4 Three Lieder to poems by Goethe, Op 83 Der glorreiche Augenblick, Op 136 (Final chorus: Es treten hervor die Scharen der Frauen) Cantata on the Accession of Leopold II, WoO 88, Fliesse, Wonnezähre, fliesse! An die ferne geliebte, Op 98 Meerestille und glückliche Fahrt, Op 112 Der Kuss, Op 128 Abendlied unter dem gestirnten Himmel, WoO 150 Missa Solemnis in D major, Op 123, Credo Symphony No 9 (4th movement) 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: Beethoven and the Voice https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000hv23 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

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 years 1799-1801. As he reaches his thirtieth birthday, we see Beethoven finally emerging as a mature composer and beginning to produce the enduring works that will mark him out as one of the great artists of his age. But there are clouds on the horizon too, and we see the first intimations of a serious problem with his hearing. Composer of the Week will be 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 Concerto No 3, III. Rondo Piano Sonata No 10 in G major, Op 14, No 2 Music: Symphony No 1, IV. Adagio – Allegro molto e vivace Septet Op. 20 (movts 4-6) Piano Sonata No 13 in Eb major, op 27 No 1, I. Andante String Quartet Op 18, No 3, I. Allegro, II. Andante con moto) Piano Sonata No 11 in Bb, Op 22 III. Minuetto & IV. Rondo Violin Sonata Op 23 Piano Sonata No.8 in C minor Op. 13 ‘Pathetique’ String Quintet in C, Op 29, II Adagio molto espressivo & IV. Presto Symphony No.5, IV. Allegro Symphony No 3 ‘Eroica’, III. Scherzo Horn Sonata Op 17 Cello Sonata Op 5 No 2, I. Adagio sostenuto e espressivo & II. Allegro molto più tosto presto Piano Sonata No 15 in D, Op 28 ‘Pastoral’, I. Allegro Piano Sonata No 14 in C# minor, Op 27 No 2 ‘Moonlight’ String Quartet Op 18 No 1, II. Adagio affettuoso ed appassionato Prometheus (extracts from the complete Ballet Music) 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: Fate https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000hflg 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

Pianist Jonathan Biss shares the wonder of Beethoven's piano sonatas with Donald Macleod. Recorded at the piano, in the Angela Burgess Recital Hall at the Royal Academy of Music in London, Jonathan shares his life-long passion for Beethoven with Donald. As they talk, he demonstrates how and why Beethoven's piano sonatas advanced the genre far beyond anything that anyone had ever achieved previously. As they talk we will gain a performer's perspective of Beethoven's developmental trajectory. Composer of the Week will be 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 2 in A major, Op 2 No 2 Sonata No 4 in E flat major, Op 7 (Grande sonate) Piano Concerto No 2 in B flat major Piano sonata No 15 in D, Op 28 (Pastorale) Piano Sonata No 17 in D minor, Op 31 No 2 (The Tempest) Piano Sonata No 23 in F minor, Op 57 (Appassionata) Piano Sonata No 21 in C major, Op 53 (Waldstein) Piano Sonata No 30 in E major, Op 109 (excerpt) Piano Sonata No 31 in A flat major, Op 110 Piano Sonata No 5 in C minor, Op 10 no 1 Piano Sonata No 12 in A flat major, Op 26 Piano Sonata No 17 in D minor, Op 31 No 2 (The Tempest) Piano Sonata “quasi una fantasia”, Op 27 (Moonlight) Piano Sonata No 20 in G major, Op 49 No 2 Piano Sonata No 3 in C major, Op 2 Piano Sonata No 27 in E minor, Op 90 Piano Sonata No 32 in C minor, Op 111 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: At the Keyboard https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000h02g 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

Donald Macleod follows Beethoven’s progress as he seeks out wealthy Viennese patrons for his music. This week, Donald Macleod follows Beethoven through the years 1796-99, as the young composer learns to negotiate the privileged and moneyed circles of Vienna’s culture-loving aristocracy. Few can resist his extraordinary charisma as a virtuoso pianist but will he also be able to persuade them of his talents as a composer? In this episode, Beethoven undertakes his first international tour, reluctantly accepts piano students, puts his music before a wider public and starts work on his ambitious first symphony. Composer of the Week will be 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 5 in C minor, Op 10 No 1 Piano Trio Op 1 No 1 March for four hands, Op 45 No 2 12 Variations on a Russian dance by Wranitzky, WoO 71 String Quartet op 18 no 6, mvts. III & IV Piano Sonata No 5 in C minor, Op 10 No 1 Sextet Op 71 Ah! Perfido Cello Sonata Op 5 No 1 Quintet for piano and winds, Op 16 Piano Sonata No 4, Op 7 Violin Sonata, Op 12 No 2 String Quartet, Op 18 No 4 Piano Trio Op 1 No 1 Piano Sonata No 7, Op 10 No 3 Romance in F, Op 50 Duet for two obbligato eye-glasses, Woo 32 String Quartet Op 18 No 1 Violin Sonata, Op 12 No 3 Piano Sonata No 6 in F, Op 10 Zärtliche Liebe, WoO 123 Trio in B flat major, Op 11 Symphony No 1 in C 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: The Drawing Room Demon https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000gkqk 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

Donald Macleod and Erica Buurman examine some of Beethoven’s personal possessions at the Beethoven-Haus in Bonn. This week, Donald Macleod takes us to Beethoven’s home town of Bonn and the Beethoven-Haus museum which now occupies the building where he was born. Donald is joined by Erica Buurman, director of the Ira F. Brilliant Center for Beethoven Studies, and together they explore some of the everyday objects and household artefacts owned by the composer to see what they can tell us about how he lived. We’ll hear about Beethoven’s hearing aids and the onset of his hearing loss. Next, with his personal cashbox, they talk about his relationship with money and the world of business. We’ll discover Beethoven’s domestic circumstances by inspecting his cut-throat razor, and his walking stick and writing desk shine a light on his everyday processes. Finally, Donald and Erica compare various samples of the composer’s hair. Composer of the Week will be 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: Bagatelles Op 126, Nos 1 & 6 Trio for Clarinet, Cello & Piano Op 38 Overture, The Consecration of the House Op 124 Wellington’s Victory (Part II) Piano Sonata No 9 in E, Op 14 No.1 Triple Concerto Cello Sonata in A, Op 69 Missa Solemnis (Agnus Dei) Sonata No 29 in Bb, Op 106 ‘Hammerklavier’ Aus Goethes Faust, Op 75, No 3 Symphony No 6 String Quintet in Eb Op 4 Mailied, Op 52 No 4 String Quartet Op 59 No 2 Trauerkantate auf den Tod Kaiser Josephs II, No 3 Aria, “Da stiegen die Menschen an’s Licht” Grosse Fugue (arr. Piano, 4 hands) Op 134 Piano Trio Op 1 No 3 Symphony No 1 Mass in C (Kyrie) 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: At Home https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000g3l7 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