Main content
Sorry, this episode is not currently available

Public Statements and Private Visions

Beethoven has charmed all Vienna with his music. His new challenge is to work out what kind of artist he really wants to be. Presented by Donald Macleod

Up to now Beethoven had used his musical talents to win the favour of the wealthiest music patrons in Vienna, to charm the public who attended his concerts, and to reel in customers for his publications. He’s beginning to see now that his musical path could take him on a very personal journey too. His new challenge is to work out what kind of artist he really wants to be.

All this week, 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 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.

Piano Sonata No 14 in C# minor, Op 27 No 2 ‘Moonlight’
Louis Schwizgebel-Wang

String Quartet Op 18 No 1, II. Adagio affettuoso ed appassionato
Danish String Quartet

Prometheus (extracts from the complete Ballet Music)
Orchestra of the 18th Century, conducted by Franz Brüggen

59 minutes

Last on

Fri 24 Apr 2020 12:00

Music Played

  • Ludwig van Beethoven

    Piano Sonata No. 14 in C sharp minor, Op 27, No 2 'Moonlight' (1st mvt)

    Performer: Louis Schwizgebel-Wang.
  • Ludwig van Beethoven

    Piano Sonata No. 14 in C sharp minor, Op 27, No 2 'Moonlight' (2nd & 3rd mvt)

    Performer: Louis Schwizgebel-Wang.
  • Ludwig van Beethoven

    String Quartet in F major, Op 18, No 1 (2nd mvt)

    Ensemble: Danish String Quartet.
  • Ludwig van Beethoven

    The Creatures of Prometheus, Op 43 (extracts from the complete Ballet Music)

    Orchestra: Orchestra of the Eighteenth Century. Conductor: Frans Brüggen.
    • PHILIPS : 446-702-2.
    • PHILIPS.
    • 1.

Broadcast

  • Fri 24 Apr 2020 12:00

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.