Rock Bottom
Beethoven is reeling from the worst year of his life. Lonely and drained, he hits rock bottom. But even here - at his lowest low - his generosity and strong morals shine through
Donald Macleod finds Beethoven reeling from the worst year of his life - 1812. With fate seemingly against him, the composer begins to crumble, and lonely and drained, he hits rock bottom. But even in this - the lowest of moments - his generosity and strong morals shine through.
This week, Donald Macleod explores Ludwig van Beethovenβs life through the years of 1813-1815 β a time of great change throughout Europe as Napoleon was overthrown. For Beethoven, it was undoubtedly the most successful period of his entire career, as he began, at last, to receive public recognition for his music. However, these years also saw him slump to an artistic nadir as he succumbed to the call for patriotic crowd-pleasers in the wake of this massive political change.
Composer of the Week is returning to the story of Beethovenβs life and music throughout 2020. Part of Radio 3βs Beethoven Unleashed season marking the 250th anniversary of Beethovenβs birth.
Triumphal March for Kuffnerβs Tarpeja, WoO 2a
Swedish Chamber Orchestra
Thomas Dausgaard (conductor)
Trio in B flat major, Op 97 βArchdukeβ- I. Allegro Moderato
Leonid Kogan (violin)
Emil Gilels (piano)
Mstislav Rostropovich (cello)
An die Hoffnung, Op 94
Matthias Goerne (baritone)
Jan Lisiecki (piano)
Quartet in C major, Op 59β3 βRazumovskyβ - II. Andante con moto quasi Allegretto
Tokyo String Quartet
Incidental Music for the Ruins of Athens - Overture; Chorus of Dervishes; March and Chorus "Schmukt die Altare"
Beecham Choral Society
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
Sir Thomas Beecham (conductor)
Producer: Sam Phillips for ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Cymru Wales
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Ludwig van Beethoven
Triumphal March for Kuffner's Tarpeja, WoO 2a
Orchestra: Swedish Chamber Orchestra. Conductor: Thomas Dausgaard.- SIMAX : PSC-1282.
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Ludwig van Beethoven
Trio in B flat major, Op 97 "Archduke" (1st mvt)
Performer: Leonid Kogan. Performer: Emil Grigoryevich Gilels. Performer: Mstislav Rostropovich.- DG : 477-747-6.
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Ludwig van Beethoven
An die Hoffnung, Op 94
Performer: Jan Lisiecki. Singer: Matthias Goerne.- DG : 483-835-1.
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Ludwig van Beethoven
String Quartet in C major, Op 59 No 3 "Razumovsky" (2nd mvt)
Ensemble: Tokyo String Quartet.- HARMONIA MUNDI : HMU 907423/24.
- HARMONIA MUNDI.
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Ludwig van Beethoven
Incidental Music for the Ruins of Athens, Op 113 (extracts)
Choir: Beecham Choral Society. Orchestra: Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. Director: Denis Vaughan. Conductor: Thomas Beecham.- WARNER CLASSICS : 5865042.
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Broadcast
- Mon 7 Sep 2020 12:00ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 3
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