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This week, Donald Macleod reaches the final chapters of his year-long biography of Beethoven. The composer’s remaining years, 1825-1827, were marred by failing health and a traumatic family crisis but also saw Beethoven pushing resolutely forward in his art. He continued to surprise and astonish, producing a series of extraordinary late string quartets.

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:

Piano Sonata No. 29 Op.106 ‘Hammerklavier’ (I. Allegro)
String Quartet in E flat, Op.127 (III. Scherzando vivace)
String Quartet in A minor, Op. 132 (III. Molto Adagio)
Kühl, nicht lau, WoO.191
Ars Longa, vita brevis, WoO.192
Piano Concerto No. 4 in G (II. Andante con moto)
Piano Trio in D, Op. 70 No. 1 ‘Ghost’ (I. Allegro vivace e con brio)
String Quartet in A minor, Op. 132 (II. Allegro ma non tanto)
Piano Sonata No. 23 in F minor, Op. 57 ‘Appassionata’ (I. Allegro Assai)
Grosse Fugue, Op. 133
String Quartet in B flat, Op. 130 (IV. Alla danza tedesca )
String Quartet in A minor, Op. 132 (V. Allegro appassionato)
String Quartet in B flat, Op. 130 (II. Presto & III. Andante con moto ma non troppo)
Septet, Op. 20 (I. Adagio – Allegro con brio)
String Quartet in C sharp minor, Op. 131 (I. Adagio, ma non troppo e molto expressive)
String Quartet in C sharp minor, Op. 131 (mvts. V-VII)
String Quartet in E flat Op. 127 (IV. Finale, Allegro)
Piano Trio in D, Op. 70 No. 1 ‘Ghost’ (III. Presto)
String Quartet in B flat, Op. 130 (V. Cavatina & VI. Finale)
Mass in C, Op. 86, I. Kyrie
String Quartet in F, Op. 135 (I. Allegretto & II. Vivace)
String Quartet in A minor, Op. 132 (I. Assai sostenunto – Allegro)
Andante maestoso in C major, WoO.62
Piano Concerto No. 2 in B flat (II. Adagio)
Piano Sonata No. 14 in C sharp minor, Op. 27 No. 2 ‘Moonlight’ (I. Andante sostenuto)
Beethoven. Symphony No. 5 in C minor (IV. Allegro)

Presented by Donald Mcleod
Produced by Chris Taylor

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 Beethoven Unleashed: Pain and Persistence /programmes/m000pw2z

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