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Donald Macleod examines a rare first edition score of Beethoven’s Seventh Symphony with an inscription in the composers own handwriting, and asks what printed music can tell us about Beethoven’s world?

This week Donald Macleod is joined by Beethoven scholar Erica Buurman and biographer Jan Swafford to investigate some the many documents and papers that Beethoven left behind after his death, which are now scattered in archives and collections across the world. Donald and his guests explore high-quality, digital facsimiles of Beethoven’s most personal records including his letters, notebooks and journals; scouring them for clues to his relationships, his work and his everyday life.

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.

String Quintet Op.29, III. Scherzo
Marleen Thiers, viola
Kuijken Quartet

Trio in Bb, WoO.39
Trio Élégiaque

Symphony No.7, IV. Allegro con Brio
Stuttgart Radio Symphony Orchestra
conducted by Sir Roger Norrington

Piano Sonata No.16, Op.31 No.1, II. Adagio grazio
Kun-Woo Paik, piano

String Quartet, Op.59 No.3, I. Andante con moto – Allegro vivace
Alban Berg Quartet

Producer: Chris Taylor