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Donald Macleod and pianist Angela Hewitt celebrate Beethoven's ability to write expressive music, in the singing or cantabile style, with music including piano sonata no 27 in E minor and piano sonata no 28 in A major.

As part of Composer of the Week's year-long focus on Beethoven, this week the world-renowned pianist Angela Hewitt chooses five contrasting aspects of the piano sonatas to discuss with Donald Macleod. In 2020, Hewitt reaches the end of her survey of Beethoven’s piano works with the last recording in her acclaimed series of his 32 piano sonatas. Begun in 2005, her Beethoven odyssey has been taken at a deliberately measured pace, to give ample space and time to reflect on each sonata, each recording being a testament to her deep understanding of Beethoven. Well known for her award-winning interpretation of Bach’s music, she brings that special insight to Beethoven’s profound admiration for the composer, after which she explores the humour Beethoven injects into his music, the composer’s ability to write cantabile or singing style and how Beethoven responded to the advancement of the piano.

In today's conversation Angela Hewitt and Donald Macleod turn to the quieter moments in Beethoven's music, an area which Hewitt feels tends to be neglected in favour of the composer's heroic style.

Piano Sonata No 25 in G major, Op 79
II: Andante
Angela Hewitt, piano

Piano Sonata No 11 in B flat major, Op 22
II: Adagio con molta espressione
Angela Hewitt, piano

Piano Sonata No 27 in E minor, Op 90
II: Nicht zu geschwind und sehr singbar vorgetragen
Wilhelm Kempff, piano

Piano Sonata No 28 in A major, Op 101
I: Allegretto ma non troppo
Angela Hewitt, piano

Piano Sonata No 16 in G major, Op 31 No 1
II: Adagio grazioso
Angela Hewitt, piano

Piano Sonata No 8 in C minor, Op 13 (Pathétique)
II: Adagio con espressione
Angela Hewitt, piano

Producer: Johannah Smith for Ö÷²¥´óÐã Cymru Wales