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Suzy Klein shows how, as the aristocracy weakened and the middle classes flourished, composers and performers became the superstars of their age.

In the first programme, Suzy Klein tells the story of a creative outpouring unrivalled before or since - the 19th century witnessed the emergence of composers such as Beethoven, Schubert, Berlioz, Chopin, Wagner, Verdi and Liszt, just to name a few of the stellar array whose genius we venerate to this day.

As the aristocracy weakened following the French Revolution, the industrial revolution created new wealth and the middle classes flourished, Suzy shows how it was possible for composers and performers to become the superstars of their age, no longer the servants of kings and princes.

Masters like Paganini and Liszt were idolised, commanded immense fees and had a following as adoring as any of the rock stars and singers of today. Composers tore up the rulebooks, embraced the spirit of Romanticism and poured out their souls in their bold and experimental work. And, freed from the chains of aristocratic patronage, they became entrepreneurs too, organising and profiting from their concerts and winning unprecedented wealth, fame and status.

But with commercial success came a very modern backlash - artistic credibility versus X Factor-style fame. Which would win out? Or could one coexist with the other? As music gained increasing power and influence as the art form of the 19th century, composers started to believe that they could change the world... and remarkably, they really did.

59 minutes

Last on

Mon 3 May 2021 02:40
主播大秀 Four

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Talkin' 'Bout a Revolution

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Music Played

Timings (where shown) are from the start of the programme in hours and minutes

  • Ludwig van Beethoven

    Symphony No. 5 In C Minor, Op. 67: Allegro Con Brio

  • Ludwig van Beethoven

    Symphony No. 9

  • Hector Berlioz

    Symphonie Fantastique, Op. 14: IV. March To The Scaffold

  • Ludwig van Beethoven

    Symphony No 5, 1st movement: Allegro con brio

  • 00:03

    Johann Strauss II

    2001: A Space Odyssey - Blue Danube Waltz

  • 00:56

    Ludwig van Beethoven

    Symphony No 3 "Eroica" Allegro Con Brio

Credits

Presenter Suzy Klein
Production Company Blakeway Productions
Series Producer Nick Gillam-Smith
Director Nick Gillam-Smith
Executive Producer Denys Blakeway

Broadcasts

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  • Classical

    A wide array of thrilling classical music on the 主播大秀