Beethoven Unleashed - Phoenix Rising

Series

Episode

Title

First
Broadcast

Comments

2020

Rock Bottom

20200907

Donald Macleod finds Beethoven reeling from the worst year of his life - 1812. With fate seemingly against him, the composer begins to crumble, and lonely and drained, he hits rock bottom. But even in this - the lowest of moments - his generosity and strong morals shine through.

This week, Donald Macleod explores Ludwig van Beethoven's life through the years of 1813-1815 - a time of great change throughout Europe as Napoleon was overthrown. For Beethoven, it was undoubtedly the most successful period of his entire career, as he began, at last, to receive public recognition for his music. However, these years also saw him slump to an artistic nadir as he succumbed to the call for patriotic crowd-pleasers in the wake of this massive political change.

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.

Triumphal March for Kuffner's Tarpeja, WoO 2a

Swedish Chamber Orchestra

Thomas Dausgaard (conductor)

Trio in B flat major, Op 97 `Archduke`- I. Allegro Moderato

Leonid Kogan (violin)

Emil Gilels (piano)

Mstislav Rostropovich (cello)

An die Hoffnung, Op 94

Matthias Goerne (baritone)

Jan Lisiecki (piano)

Quartet in C major, Op 59'3 `Razumovsky` - II. Andante con moto quasi Allegretto

Tokyo String Quartet

Incidental Music for the Ruins of Athens - Overture; Chorus of Dervishes; March and Chorus 'Schmukt die Altare

Beecham Choral Society

Royal Philharmonic Orchestra

Sir Thomas Beecham (conductor)

Producer: Sam Phillips for BBC Cymru Wales

Donald Macleod explores Beethoven's life and music through the years 1813-1815.

2020

The Popular Touch

20200908

Donald Macleod explores how the demise of Napoleon, and a clich退d commission from an eccentric inventor launched Beethoven from his depression, and led to the greatest public acclaim of the composer's career. However, with this success came accusations of selling out.

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.

Symphony No.3 in E flat major, Op 55 `Eroica` - II. Marcia Funebre. Adagio Assai

Orchester Wiener Akademie

Martin Haselbock (conductor)

Wellington's Victory, Op 91

Berlin Philharmonic

Herbert von Karajan (conductor)

Symphony no. 7 in A major, Op 92 (arr. Winds) - III. Presto

Les Vents de Montr退al

Andr退 Moisan (conductor)

Symphony no. 8 in F major, Op 93 - II. Allegretto scherzando & III. Tempo di menuetto

London Symphony Orchestra

Bernard Haitink (conductor)

Germania, WoO 94

Niklas Sp倀ngberg (bass)

The Key Ensemble

Turku Philharmonic Orchestra

Leif Segerstam (conductor)

Producer: Sam Phillips for BBC Cymru Wales

Donald Macleod explores Beethoven through the years 1813-1815

2020

Public Success

20200909

Donald Macleod finds an aging and ailing Beethoven riding the wave of popularity his patriotic works has created. However, his appearances are dogged with difficulties as performances flounder due to his increasing deafness

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.

The Ruins of Athens, Op 113 - Chorus & Bass aria 'Wir tragen empf䀀ngliche Herzen im Busen; Will Unser Genius

Roger Andrews (baritone)

New York Choral Artists

Orchestra Of St. Luke's

Dennis Russell Davies (conductor)

Symphony no. 8 in F major, Op 93 - I. Allegro Vivace e con brio

Danish Chamber Orchestra

@dကm Fischer (conductor)

Piano Trio No. 7 in B flat major, Op 97 `Archduke` - II. Scherzo & III. Andante cantabile

Storioni Trio

Fidelio, Op 72 - Overture (arr. Piano by I. Moscheles)

Anthony Goldstone (piano)

Fidelio - Op 72 - Act I `Abscheulicher! Wo eilst du hin?`

Nina Stemme (Leonore)

Lucerne Festival Orchestra

Arnold Schoenberg Chor

Claudio Abbado (conductor)

Producer: Sam Phillips for BBC Cymru Wales

Donald Macleod explores Beethoven through the years 1813-1815

2020

Congress

20200910

The Congress of Vienna brings some 100,000 rich foreigners including emperors and empresses to the city. Donald Macleod explores this extraordinary event and finds Beethoven at the height of his popularity and well poised to take advantage, despite his dislike for the pomp of the noble classes.

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.

Fidelio, Op 72 - Act I `Leb wohl, du warmes Sonnenlicht`

Charlotte Margiono (Leonore)

Lကszl　 Polgကr (Rocco)

Sergei Leiferkus (Pizarro)

Barbara Bonney (Marzelline)

Deon van der Walt (Jaquino)

Schoenberg Choir

Chamber Orchestra of Europe

Nikolaus Harnoncourt (conductor)

Leonore Prohaska, WoO.96

Sylvia McNair (soprano)

Karoline Eichhorn (speaker)

Rundfunkchor Berlin

Berlin Philharmonic

Claudio Abbado (conductor)

Polonaise, Op 89

Alessio Bax (piano)

Cantata: Der Glorreiche Augenblick, Op 136 - `Europa steht!`; `Das Auge Shaut`; `Es treten hervor`

Matilde Wallevik (mezzo-soprano)

Peter Hoare (tenor)

Stephen Gadd (baritone)

Claire Rutter (soprano)

Royal Philharmonic Orchestra

Westminster Boys' Choir

Westminster Abbey Choir

City of London Choir

Hilary Davan Wetton (conductor)

Quartet no.8 Op 59'2 `Rasumovsky` - III. Allegretto

Emerson String Quartet

Producer: Sam Phillips for BBC Cymru Wales

Donald Macleod explores Beethoven through the years 1813-1815

2020

05 LAST

Fall

20200911

After the most successful period of his life, Donald Macleod now finds Beethoven starting to slip from the Viennese public's affections. As the composer struggles to cope, loneliness and despair once again begin to set in.

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.27, Op 90

Igor Levitt (piano)

Kurz ist der Schmerz, und ewig ist die Freude, WoO163 & Brauchle, Lincke, WoO167

Accentus

Cello sonata no. 5 in D major, Op 102'2 - II. Adagio con molto sentimento d'affetto

Steven Isserlis (cello)

Robert Levin (piano)

Piano Concerto no. 6 (fragment, completed by Nicholas Cook and Hermann Dechant)

Sophie-Mayuko Vetter (piano)

Hamburg Symphony

Peter Ruzicka (conductor)

Fidelio, Op 72 - Act II `Euch werde Lohn in bessern Welten`

Gundula Janowitz (Leonore)

Ren退 Kollo (Florestan)

Manfred Jungwirth (Rocco)

Wiener Philharmoniker

Leonard Bernstein (conductor)

Producer: Sam Phillips for BBC Cymru Wales

Donald Macleod explores Beethoven through the years 1813-1815

Episodes

Series	Episode	Title	First Broadcast	Comments
2020	01	Rock Bottom	20200907	Donald Macleod finds Beethoven reeling from the worst year of his life - 1812. With fate seemingly against him, the composer begins to crumble, and lonely and drained, he hits rock bottom. But even in this - the lowest of moments - his generosity and strong morals shine through. This week, Donald Macleod explores Ludwig van Beethoven's life through the years of 1813-1815 - a time of great change throughout Europe as Napoleon was overthrown. For Beethoven, it was undoubtedly the most successful period of his entire career, as he began, at last, to receive public recognition for his music. However, these years also saw him slump to an artistic nadir as he succumbed to the call for patriotic crowd-pleasers in the wake of this massive political change. 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. Triumphal March for Kuffner's Tarpeja, WoO 2a Swedish Chamber Orchestra Thomas Dausgaard (conductor) Trio in B flat major, Op 97 `Archduke`- I. Allegro Moderato Leonid Kogan (violin) Emil Gilels (piano) Mstislav Rostropovich (cello) An die Hoffnung, Op 94 Matthias Goerne (baritone) Jan Lisiecki (piano) Quartet in C major, Op 59'3 `Razumovsky` - II. Andante con moto quasi Allegretto Tokyo String Quartet Incidental Music for the Ruins of Athens - Overture; Chorus of Dervishes; March and Chorus 'Schmukt die Altare Beecham Choral Society Royal Philharmonic Orchestra Sir Thomas Beecham (conductor) Producer: Sam Phillips for BBC Cymru Wales Donald Macleod explores Beethoven's life and music through the years 1813-1815.
2020	02	The Popular Touch	20200908	Donald Macleod explores how the demise of Napoleon, and a clich退d commission from an eccentric inventor launched Beethoven from his depression, and led to the greatest public acclaim of the composer's career. However, with this success came accusations of selling out. This week, Donald Macleod explores Ludwig van Beethoven's life through the years of 1813-1815 - a time of great change throughout Europe as Napoleon was overthrown. For Beethoven, it was undoubtedly the most successful period of his entire career, as he began, at last, to receive public recognition for his music. However, these years also saw him slump to an artistic nadir as he succumbed to the call for patriotic crowd-pleasers in the wake of this massive political change. 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. Symphony No.3 in E flat major, Op 55 `Eroica` - II. Marcia Funebre. Adagio Assai Orchester Wiener Akademie Martin Haselbock (conductor) Wellington's Victory, Op 91 Berlin Philharmonic Herbert von Karajan (conductor) Symphony no. 7 in A major, Op 92 (arr. Winds) - III. Presto Les Vents de Montr退al Andr退 Moisan (conductor) Symphony no. 8 in F major, Op 93 - II. Allegretto scherzando & III. Tempo di menuetto London Symphony Orchestra Bernard Haitink (conductor) Germania, WoO 94 Niklas Sp倀ngberg (bass) The Key Ensemble Turku Philharmonic Orchestra Leif Segerstam (conductor) Producer: Sam Phillips for BBC Cymru Wales Donald Macleod explores Beethoven through the years 1813-1815
2020	03	Public Success	20200909	Donald Macleod finds an aging and ailing Beethoven riding the wave of popularity his patriotic works has created. However, his appearances are dogged with difficulties as performances flounder due to his increasing deafness This week, Donald Macleod explores Ludwig van Beethoven's life through the years of 1813-1815 - a time of great change throughout Europe as Napoleon was overthrown. For Beethoven, it was undoubtedly the most successful period of his entire career, as he began, at last, to receive public recognition for his music. However, these years also saw him slump to an artistic nadir as he succumbed to the call for patriotic crowd-pleasers in the wake of this massive political change. 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. The Ruins of Athens, Op 113 - Chorus & Bass aria 'Wir tragen empf䀀ngliche Herzen im Busen; Will Unser Genius Roger Andrews (baritone) New York Choral Artists Orchestra Of St. Luke's Dennis Russell Davies (conductor) Symphony no. 8 in F major, Op 93 - I. Allegro Vivace e con brio Danish Chamber Orchestra @dကm Fischer (conductor) Piano Trio No. 7 in B flat major, Op 97 `Archduke` - II. Scherzo & III. Andante cantabile Storioni Trio Fidelio, Op 72 - Overture (arr. Piano by I. Moscheles) Anthony Goldstone (piano) Fidelio - Op 72 - Act I `Abscheulicher! Wo eilst du hin?` Nina Stemme (Leonore) Lucerne Festival Orchestra Arnold Schoenberg Chor Claudio Abbado (conductor) Producer: Sam Phillips for BBC Cymru Wales Donald Macleod explores Beethoven through the years 1813-1815
2020	04	Congress	20200910	The Congress of Vienna brings some 100,000 rich foreigners including emperors and empresses to the city. Donald Macleod explores this extraordinary event and finds Beethoven at the height of his popularity and well poised to take advantage, despite his dislike for the pomp of the noble classes. This week, Donald Macleod explores Ludwig van Beethoven's life through the years of 1813-1815 - a time of great change throughout Europe as Napoleon was overthrown. For Beethoven, it was undoubtedly the most successful period of his entire career, as he began, at last, to receive public recognition for his music. However, these years also saw him slump to an artistic nadir as he succumbed to the call for patriotic crowd-pleasers in the wake of this massive political change. 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. Fidelio, Op 72 - Act I `Leb wohl, du warmes Sonnenlicht` Charlotte Margiono (Leonore) Lကszl　 Polgကr (Rocco) Sergei Leiferkus (Pizarro) Barbara Bonney (Marzelline) Deon van der Walt (Jaquino) Schoenberg Choir Chamber Orchestra of Europe Nikolaus Harnoncourt (conductor) Leonore Prohaska, WoO.96 Sylvia McNair (soprano) Karoline Eichhorn (speaker) Rundfunkchor Berlin Berlin Philharmonic Claudio Abbado (conductor) Polonaise, Op 89 Alessio Bax (piano) Cantata: Der Glorreiche Augenblick, Op 136 - `Europa steht!`; `Das Auge Shaut`; `Es treten hervor` Matilde Wallevik (mezzo-soprano) Peter Hoare (tenor) Stephen Gadd (baritone) Claire Rutter (soprano) Royal Philharmonic Orchestra Westminster Boys' Choir Westminster Abbey Choir City of London Choir Hilary Davan Wetton (conductor) Quartet no.8 Op 59'2 `Rasumovsky` - III. Allegretto Emerson String Quartet Producer: Sam Phillips for BBC Cymru Wales Donald Macleod explores Beethoven through the years 1813-1815
2020	05 LAST	Fall	20200911	After the most successful period of his life, Donald Macleod now finds Beethoven starting to slip from the Viennese public's affections. As the composer struggles to cope, loneliness and despair once again begin to set in. This week, Donald Macleod explores Ludwig van Beethoven's life through the years of 1813-1815 - a time of great change throughout Europe as Napoleon was overthrown. For Beethoven, it was undoubtedly the most successful period of his entire career, as he began, at last, to receive public recognition for his music. However, these years also saw him slump to an artistic nadir as he succumbed to the call for patriotic crowd-pleasers in the wake of this massive political change. 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.27, Op 90 Igor Levitt (piano) Kurz ist der Schmerz, und ewig ist die Freude, WoO163 & Brauchle, Lincke, WoO167 Accentus Cello sonata no. 5 in D major, Op 102'2 - II. Adagio con molto sentimento d'affetto Steven Isserlis (cello) Robert Levin (piano) Piano Concerto no. 6 (fragment, completed by Nicholas Cook and Hermann Dechant) Sophie-Mayuko Vetter (piano) Hamburg Symphony Peter Ruzicka (conductor) Fidelio, Op 72 - Act II `Euch werde Lohn in bessern Welten` Gundula Janowitz (Leonore) Ren退 Kollo (Florestan) Manfred Jungwirth (Rocco) Wiener Philharmoniker Leonard Bernstein (conductor) Producer: Sam Phillips for BBC Cymru Wales Donald Macleod explores Beethoven through the years 1813-1815