Main content
Sorry, this episode is not currently available

Businessman and Charity-Giver

Donald Macleod considers two different sides of Beethoven's character: his business instinct and his giving to charity.

Donald Macleod looks at two distinctly different sides of Beethoven's character as he strikes a publishing deal in England and willingly gives up his time and music to benefit the needy. In 1810 Beethoven took advantage of his growing popularity in England and sold some of his music to Muzio Clementi, who had set himself up as a publisher in London. From these works Donald introduces an intimate piano sonata, a piece whose intimate scale is in direct contrast to the grand sweep of the previous 'Appassionata' Sonata. Also, his newly published oratorio, a copy of which he'd happily provided for performance at a charity concert in Graz. Plus the rarely heard overture from a one-act singspiel commissioned for the opening of the new theatre at Pest, and the final movement from the symphony Wagner described as "The Apotheosis of the Dance".

1 hour

Music Played

  • Ludwig van Beethoven

    12 Irish songs WoO.154 for voice(s) and piano trio

    Performer: Ann MURRAY - Mezzo-soprano Performer: Felicity LOTT - Soprano Performer: Galina SOLODCHIN - Violin Performer: Graham JOHNSON - Piano Performer: Jonathan WILLIAMS - Cello

    • EMI.
    • CDC 7-49930 2.
  • Ludwig van Beethoven

    Sonata no. 24 in F sharp major Op.78 for piano

    Performer: Andreas HAEFLIGER - Piano

    • AVIE.
    • AV-2173.
  • Ludwig van Beethoven

    Klage WoO.113 for voice and piano

    Conductor: Colin DAVIS Performer: Bavarian S O

    • CBS.
    • CD42103.
  • Ludwig van Beethoven

    Christus am Olberge (The Mount of Olives) - oratorio Op.85 for STB, chorus & orchestra

    Conductor: Bernhard KLEE Performer: Elizabeth HARWOOD - Soprano (Seraph) Performer: James KING - Tenor (Jesus) Performer: VIENNA SINGVEREIN - Main Artist Performer: Vienna S O.

    • DG.
    • 4537982.
  • Ludwig van Beethoven

    Symphony no. 7 in A major Op.92

    Conductor: Wolfgang SAWALLISCH Performer: Amsterdam Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra

    • EMI.
    • CZS5733262.

Broadcasts

  • Thu 15 Dec 2011 12:00
  • Thu 15 Dec 2011 18:30
  • Thu 2 Mar 2017 12:00
  • Thu 2 Mar 2017 18:30

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.