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Beethoven wrestles with the new symphony he hopes will propel him to stardom, but the Viennese public are not sure if they like what he has to offer. Presented by Donald Macleod.

Beethoven was nearly 30 years old but yet to compose any of the major masterpieces he is best known for today. Donald Macleod follows his progress as Beethoven puts his music before a wider public and starts work on his ambitious first symphony.

This week, Donald Macleod follows Beethoven through the years 1796-99, as the young composer learns to negotiate the privileged and moneyed circles of Vienna’s culture loving aristocracy. Few can resist his extraordinary charisma as a virtuoso pianist, but will he also be able to persuade them of his talents as a composer?

Composer of the Week will be 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.

Violin Sonata op 12, no 3, III. Rondo, allegro molto
Alexandra Soumm, violin
Adam Laloum, piano

Piano Sonata no 6 in F, op 10, movts. II & III
Mieczyslaw Horszowski, piano

Zärtliche Liebe, WoO 123
Ilker Arcayurek, tenor
Simon Lepper, piano

Trio in B flat major, op 11
Atos Trio

Symphony No.1 in C, I. Adagio molto – Allegro con brio
Ö÷²¥´óÐã National Orchestra of Wales
Conducted by Thierry Fischer

Producer: Chris Taylor

59 minutes

Last on

Fri 27 Mar 2020 12:00

Music Played

  • Ludwig van Beethoven

    Violin Sonata, Op 12 No 3 (3rd movement)

    Performer: Alexandra Soumm. Performer: Adam Laloum.
  • Ludwig van Beethoven

    Piano Sonata No 6 in F major, Op 10 No 2 (2nd and 3rd movements)

    Performer: Mieczyslaw Horszowski.
    • Ö÷²¥´óÐã Legends Ö÷²¥´óÐãL 4122-2.
    • Ö÷²¥´óÐã Legends.
    • 1.
  • Ludwig van Beethoven

    Zartliche Liebe, WoO 123

    Performer: Simon Lepper. Singer: Ilker Arcayürek.
  • Ludwig van Beethoven

    Piano Trio in B flat major, Op 11

    Ensemble: ATOS Trio.
  • Ludwig van Beethoven

    Symphony No 1 in C major (1st movement)

    Orchestra: Ö÷²¥´óÐã National Orchestra of Wales. Conductor: Thierry Fischer.

Broadcast

  • Fri 27 Mar 2020 12:00

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