Episodes
| Series | Episode | Title | First Broadcast | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 01 | People Skills | 20201130 | Beethoven unveils a major new string quartet, but after promising the public premiere to two different ensembles, he's faced with an awkward confrontation. This week, Donald Macleod reaches the final chapters of his year-long biography of Beethoven. The composer's remaining years, 1825 to 1827, were marred by failing health and a traumatic family crisis but also saw Beethoven pushing resolutely forward in his art. He continued to surprise and astonish, producing a series of extraordinary late string quartets. Composer of the Week is 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. Piano Sonata No. 29 Op.106 Hammerklavier', I. Allegro Mitsuko Uchida, piano String Quartet in E flat, Op.127, III. Scherzando vivace Van Kuijk Quartet String Quartet in A minor, Op. 132, III. Molto Adagio Tokyo String Quartet Kühl, nicht lau, WoO.191 Ars Longa, vita brevis, WoO.192 Accentus Piano Concerto No. 4 in G, II. Andante con moto Krystian Zimerman, piano Vienna Philharmonic, conducted by Leonard Bernstein |
| 2020 | 02 | Going His Own Way | 20201201 | Beethoven had led the world into a new era of music, and now a fresh generation of artists were emerging behind him to take the next steps into what would become the Age of the Romantics. Nevertheless, the old man was not yet ready to hand over his position as chief musical revolutionary. This week, Donald Macleod reaches the final chapters of his year-long biography of Beethoven. The composer's remaining years, 1825 to 1827, were marred by failing health and a traumatic family crisis but also saw Beethoven pushing resolutely forward in his art. He continued to surprise and astonish, producing a series of extraordinary late string quartets. Composer of the Week is 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. Piano Trio in D, Op. 70 No. 1 Ghost', I. Allegro vivace e con brio Amatis Trio String Quartet in A minor, Op. 132, II. Allegro ma non tanto Danish String Quartet Piano Sonata No. 23 in F minor, Op. 57 Appassionata', I. Allegro Assai Maria Grinberg, piano Grosse Fugue, Op. 133 Talich Quartet String Quartet in B flat, Op. 130, IV. Alla danza tedesca . Vertavo String Quartet |
| 2020 | 03 | A Cry For Help | 20201202 | Beethoven's relationship with his nephew, Karl, spirals downwards to the point where the young man feels he has no way out and does something desperate. This week, Donald Macleod reaches the final chapters of his year-long biography of Beethoven. The composer's remaining years, 1825 to 1827, were marred by his failing health and a traumatic family crisis but also saw Beethoven pushing resolutely forward in his art. He continued to surprise and astonish, producing a series of extraordinary late string quartets. Composer of the Week is 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. String Quartet in A minor, Op. 132, V. Allegro appassionato Brodsky Quartet String Quartet in B flat, Op. 130, II. Presto & III. Andante con moto ma non troppo Julliard Quartet Septet, Op. 20, I. Adagio - Allegro con brio Stuttgart Philharmonic Septet String Quartet in C sharp minor, Op. 131, I. Adagio, ma non troppo e molto expressivo LaSalle Quartet String Quartet in C sharp minor, Op. 131, mvts. V-VII Emerson Quartet |
| 2020 | 04 | Family Retreat | 20201203 | Johann van Beethoven invites his composer brother Ludwig and nephew Karl to recuperate at his country estate. He hopes the two of them will find a way to mend their broken relationship, but will Ludwig be able to keep his fiery temper in check? This week, Donald Macleod reaches the final chapters of his year-long biography of Beethoven. The composer's remaining years, 1825 to 1827, were marred by failing health and a traumatic family crisis but also saw Beethoven pushing resolutely forward in his art. He continued to surprise and astonish, producing a series of extraordinary late string quartets. Composer of the Week is 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. String Quartet in E flat Op. 127, IV. Finale, Allegro Van Kuijk Quartet Piano Trio in D, Op. 70 No. 1 Ghost', III. Presto Atos Trio String Quartet in B flat, Op. 130, V. Cavatina & VI. Finale Signum Quartett Mass in C, Op. 86, I. Kyrie Katherine van Kampen, soprano Ingeborg Danz, mezzo soprano Keith Lewis, tenor Michel Brodard, bass-baritone G䀀chinger Kantorei Stuttgart Bach-Collegium Stuttgart, conducted by Helmut Rilling String Quartet in F, Op. 135, I. Allegretto & II. Vivace |
| 2020 | 05 LAST | Too Late | 20201204 | Beethoven turns to a small circle of close friends and family to care for him as he struggles with what they fear will be his final illness. This week, Donald Macleod reaches the final chapters of his year-long biography of Beethoven. The composer's remaining years, 1825 to 1827, were marred by his failing health and a traumatic family crisis but also saw Beethoven pushing resolutely forward in his art. He continued to surprise and astonish, producing a series of extraordinary late string quartets. Composer of the Week is 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. String Quartet in A minor, Op. 132, I. Assai sostenunto - Allegro Alban Berg Quartet Andante maestoso in C major, WoO.62 Daniel Hope, violin Ikki Opitz, violin Amihai Grosz, viola Tatjana Masurenko, viola Daniel Müller-Schott, cello Piano Concerto No. 2 in B flat, II. Adagio Mitsuko Uchida, piano Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Kurt Sanderling Piano Sonata No. 14 in C sharp minor, Op. 27 No. 2 Moonlight', I. Andante sostenuto Vladimir Ashkenazy, piano Beethoven. Symphony No. 5 in c minor, IV. Allegro Vienna Philharmonic, conducted by Carlos Kleiber Produced by Chris Taylor |