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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鈥檚 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鈥檚 the perfect place to put his own music before a wider public.

All this week, Donald Macleod traces Beethoven鈥檚 story through the momentous years of 1802 and 1803. It was a time that saw remarkable developments in Beethoven鈥檚 creativity as he pursued a self-declared 鈥榥ew path鈥 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鈥檚 life and music throughout 2020. Part of Radio 3鈥檚 Beethoven Unleashed season marking the 250th anniversary of Beethoven鈥檚 birth.

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

Romance for violin and orchestra No 1, Op 40
Chlo毛 Hanslip, violin
大象传媒 Scottish Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Anja Bihlmaier

5 Variations on 鈥淩ule Britannia鈥 WoO 79
Gianluca Cascioli, piano

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

Symphony No.3 鈥楨roica鈥, IV. Finale
大象传媒 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: Chlo毛 Hanslip. Orchestra: 大象传媒 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: 大象传媒 National Orchestra of Wales.

Broadcast

  • Wed 20 May 2020 12:00

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