Main content
Sorry, this episode is not currently available

Theatrical Diversions

Beethoven seizes an opportunity to put his music before a wider public and escape his endless obligations to Vienna's aristocratic patrons. Presented by Donald Macleod.

Beethoven watches with interest as Vienna’s newly built venue, the Theater and der Wien, begins to draw eager crowds to its programme of plays, opera and musical concerts. He decides it’s the perfect place to put his own music before a wider public.

All this week, 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 β€˜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.

March (Fidelio, Act 1)
Mahler Chamber Orchestra / Lucerne Festival Orchestra, conducted by Claudio Abbado

Romance for violin and orchestra No 1, Op 40
ChloΓ« Hanslip, violin
ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Scottish Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Anja Bihlmaier

5 Variations on β€œRule Britannia” WoO 79
Gianluca Cascioli, piano

Christ on the Mount of Olives (extract)
Maria Venuti, soprano (Seraph)
Keith Lewis, tenor (Jesus)
Michel Brodard, bass (Petrus)
GΓ€chinger Kantorei Stuttgart
Bach-Collegium Stuttgart, conducted by Helmuth Rilling

Symphony No.3 β€˜Eroica’, IV. Finale
ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ National Orchestra of Wales, conducted by Thierry Fischer

59 minutes

Music Played

  • Ludwig van Beethoven

    Fidelio (Leonore) Op 72, Act 1, March

    Orchestra: Mahler Chamber Orchestra. Orchestra: Lucerne Festival Orchestra. Conductor: Claudio Abbado.
    • DECCA : 478-2551.
    • DECCA.
    • 11.
  • Ludwig van Beethoven

    Romance No 1 in G Major, Op 40 for violin and orchestra

    Performer: ChloΓ« Hanslip. Orchestra: ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Scottish Symphony Orchestra. Conductor: Anja Bihlmaier.
  • Ludwig van Beethoven

    5 Variations on 'Rule Britannia' in D major WoO 79 for piano

    Performer: Gianluca Cascioli.
    • DEUTSCHE GRAMMOP : 457-613-2.
    • DEUTSCHE GRAMMOP.
    • 8.
  • Ludwig van Beethoven

    Christus Am Olberge (The Mount Of Olives), Op 85 (Nos 4, 5 & 6)

    Performer: Stuttgart Bach Collegium. Performer: Gachinger Choir Stuttgart. Director: Helmuth Rilling. Singer: Keith Lewis. Singer: Maria Venuti. Singer: Michel Brodard.
    • SELECT : 98.-993.
    • SELECT.
  • Ludwig van Beethoven

    Symphony No. 3 in E flat major, Op 55 'Eroica' (4th mvt)

    Conductor: Thierry Fischer. Orchestra: ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ National Orchestra of Wales.

Broadcast

  • Wed 20 May 2020 12:00

Vaughan Williams Today

Vaughan Williams Today

Programmes, concerts and features celebrating Vaughan Williams's 150th anniversary.

Beethoven Unleashed – the box set

Beethoven Unleashed – the box set

The complete set of Radio 3 Beethoven Unleashed podcasts, with Donald Macleod.

What was really wrong with Beethoven?

What was really wrong with Beethoven?

Georgia Mann and neurosurgeon Henry Marsh examine the composer's numerous health problems

Composers A to Z

Composers A to Z

Visit the extensive audio archive of Radio 3 programmes about Composers and their works.

Who knew? Five eye-opening stories from Composer of the Week

Who knew? Five eye-opening stories from Composer of the Week

The production team reflects on 5 of Donald Macleod’s best stories from the last 20 years

Five reasons why we love Parry's Jerusalem

What is the strange power of Jerusalem which makes strong men weep?

A man out of time – why Parry's music and ideas were at odds with his image...

The composer of Jerusalem was very far from the conservative figure his image suggests.

Composer Help Page

Find resources and contacts for composers from within the classical music industry.