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Beethoven Unleashed: Withdrawal

Donald Macleod follows Ludwig van Beethoven through the years of 1816-1821

This week, Donald Macleod follows Ludwig van Beethoven through the years of 1816-1821; a period when the composer was groping towards yet another extraordinary and revolutionary flowering of his creativity. However, something was holding him back. Beethoven had resolved to become the legal guardian of his nephew, Karl, and to remove him from the care of his mother, Johanna. The resulting court battles would rumble on for five years, damaging everyone involved, consuming them all, and distracting Beethoven from his music.

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.

Music Featured:

Piano Sonata No.25, Op.79 (II. Andante & III. Vivace)
String Quartet op.95 鈥楽erioso鈥 (III. Allegro assai vivace, ma serioso)
Sehnsucht, WoO.146
Cello Sonata Op.102, No.1
Variations on 鈥淚ch bin de Schneider Kakadu鈥 by Wenzel M眉ller, Op.121a
Beethoven: Piano Sonata No.16, Op.31 No.1 (I. Allegro Vivace)
The Creatures of Prometheus (extracts)
Abschiedsgesang WoO.102
Piano Sonata No.30, Op.109
The Miller of Dee WoO.157, No.4
Fugue for Strings Op. 137
Quintet for strings Op.104 (III. Menuetto & IV. Finale)
Piano Sonata No.29, Op.106 鈥淗ammerklavier鈥 (II. Scherzo & III. Adagio Sostenuto)
National Airs with Variations Op.107, No.5
Wolfgang Schulz, flute
Rudolf Buchbinder, piano
Bagatelle in Bb, WoO.60
God Save the King, Woo.157, No.3
Namensfeier Overture Op.115
Piano Sonata No.28, Op.101
So oder so WoO.148
Missa Solemnis: Benedictus
Bester Magistrat, Ihr friert WoO.177
Tremate, empi, tremate Op.116
Bagatelles Op.119, Nos.7-11
Abendlied unterm gestirnten Himmel WoO.150
March for Military Band WoO.24 (extract)
Piano Sonata No.31, Op.110

Presented by Donald Macleod

Produced by Sam Phillips for 大象传媒 Wales

For full track listings, including artist and recording details, and to listen to the pieces featured in full (for 30 days after broadcast) head to the series page for Beethoven Unleashed: Withdrawal /programmes/m000n5x6

And you can delve into the A-Z of all the composers we鈥檝e featured on Composer of the Week here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/3cjHdZlXwL7W41XGB77X3S0/composers-a-to-z

Release date:

Available now

1 hour, 27 minutes

Podcast