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Beethoven and the Keyboard

Donald Macleod is joined by Ronald Brautigam to explore Beethoven鈥檚 writing for the keyboard.

Donald Macleod is joined by Ronald Brautigam to explore Beethoven鈥檚 writing for the keyboard.

Throughout this week, Donald Macleod meets with different professional musicians to get a performer's eye view of Beethoven鈥檚 music and the challenges it presents.

During Beethoven鈥檚 life, great technical advances were being made to musical instruments such as the keyboard and the horn. It was also a period when virtuoso musicians of all kinds began to tour Europe and Beethoven was able to meet some of the greatest exponents of different instruments and learn from them. He was inspired to push the limits of his performers as never before, and his works continue to fascinate and challenge musicians today.

Today Donald Macleod is joined by fortepianist Ronald Brautigam to explore Beethoven from the perspective of a keyboard player. Ronald shares his thoughts on how Beethoven's keyboard music created demands few amateur performers could achieve. Donald and Ronald also explore the question of using historical instruments or modern pianos when performing Beethoven, and assess some of the criteria for making those decisions.

Composer of the Week is returning to the story of Beethoven鈥檚 life and music throughout 2020 as part of Radio 3鈥檚 Beethoven Unleashed season marking the 250th anniversary of Beethoven鈥檚 birth.

Piano Sonata No 13 in E flat, Op 27 No 1 (Andante)
Ronald Brautigam, fortepiano

Concerto No 3 in C minor, Op 37 (Largo)
Ronald Brautigam, fortepiano
Kolner Akademie
Michael Alexander Willens, conductor

Piano Trio No 5 in D, Op 70 No 1 鈥淕host鈥 (Largo assai ed espressivo)
Andreas Staier, fortepiano
Daniel Sepec, violin
Jean-Guihen Queyras, cello

Fantasia in C minor, Op 80
Ronald Brautigam, piano
Hannah Holgersson, soprano
Marie Olhans, mezzo
Maria Sanner, alto
Mikael Stenbaek, tenor
Gunnar Bigersson, baritone
Ove Pettersson, bass
Eric Ericson Chamber Choir
Norrkoping Symphony Orchestra
Andrew Parrott, director

Produced by Luke Whitlock for 大象传媒 Wales.

56 minutes

Music Played

  • Ludwig van Beethoven

    Piano Sonata No 13 in E flat major, Op 27 No 1 (1st mvt)

    Performer: Ronald Brautigam.
    • BIS : SACD-1473.
    • BIS.
    • 5.
  • Ludwig van Beethoven

    Piano Concerto No 3 in C minor, Op 37 (2nd mvt)

    Performer: Ronald Brautigam. Orchestra: Die K枚lner Akademie. Conductor: Michael Alexander Willens.
  • Ludwig van Beethoven

    Piano Trio in D major 'Ghost', Op 70 No 1 (2nd mvt)

    Performer: Andreas Staier. Performer: Daniel Sepec. Performer: Jean鈥怗uihen Queyras.
    • Harmonia Mundi HMC901955.
    • Harmonia Mundi.
    • 6.
  • Ludwig van Beethoven

    Choral Fantasia in C minor, Op 80

    Conductor: Andrew Parrott. Performer: Ronald Brautigam. Performer: Norrk枚pings Symfoniorkester. Choir: Eric Ericsons Kammark枚r. Performer: Hannah Holgersson. Performer: Marie Olhans. Performer: Maria Sanner. Performer: Mikael Stenbaek. Performer: Gunnar Bigersson. Performer: Ove Pettersson.
    • SONY CLASSICAL : SM2K-47522/A&B.
    • SONY CLASSICAL.
    • 4.

Broadcast

  • Thu 27 Aug 2020 13:00

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