Beethoven Unleashed - Piano Sonatas

Series

Episode

Title

First
Broadcast

Comments

2020

The Newcomer

20201019

Pianist Angela Hewitt shares her knowledge of Beethoven's opus 2 trilogy of piano sonatas with Donald Macleod.

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.

Angela Hewitt and Donald Macleod begin today with a look at the piano sonatas a young Beethoven wrote, freshly arrived in Vienna, starting with his opus 2 trilogy.

Piano Sonata No 1 in F minor, Op 2 No 1

I: Allegro

Angela Hewitt, piano

Piano Sonata No 2 in A major, Op 2 No 2

IV: Rondo: Grazioso

Piano Sonata No 3 in C major, Op 2 No 3 (1795)

II: Adagio

Artur Schnabel, piano

IV: Allegro assai

Piano Sonata No 7 in D major, Op 10 No 3

II: Largo e mesto

Produced by Johannah Smith for BBC Wales

Pianist Angela Hewitt discusses Beethoven's opus 2 piano sonatas with Donald Macleod.

2020

Beethoven And The Influence Of Js Bach

20201020

Donald Macleod and pianist Angela Hewitt explore Beethoven's admiration for J.S. Bach and how his study of Bach's music informed his piano sonatas, including the Path退tique.

Today Angela Hewitt and Donald Macleod discuss the elements in Beethoven's writing for the piano, which reflect his study of Bach.

Beethoven: Piano Sonata No 3 in C major, Op 2 No 3

III: Scherzo

Angela Hewitt, piano

Bach: Partita No 2 in C minor, BWV 826 (excerpt)

1. Sinfonia

Beethoven: Piano Sonata No 8 in C minor, Op 13 (Path退tique)

I: Grave - Allegro di molto e con brio

Beethoven: Piano Sonata No 28 in A major, Op 101

IV: Allegro Geschwind, doch nicht zu sehr, und mit Entschlossenheit

Bach: Fugue No 17 in A flat major, BWV 862 (excerpt)

Beethoven: Piano Sonata No 31 in A flat major, Op 110

III: Fuga: Allegro ma non troppo

Beethoven: Piano Sonata No 30 in E major, Op 109

III: Andante molto cantabile ed expressivo: Gesang mit innigster Empfindung

Alfred Brendel, piano

Producer: Johannah Smith for BBC Cymru Wales

Donald Macleod and pianist Angela Hewitt explore Beethoven's admiration for J.S. Bach.

2020

The Art Of Cantabile

20201021

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.

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

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

Piano Sonata No 16 in G major, Op 31 No 1

II: Adagio grazioso

Piano Sonata No 8 in C minor, Op 13 (Path退tique)

II: Adagio con espressione

Producer: Johannah Smith for BBC Cymru Wales

Donald Macleod and pianist Angela Hewitt celebrate the expressive moments in Beethoven.

2020

Beethoven And Humour

20201022

Pianist Angela Hewitt joins Donald Macleod to discuss the humour to be found and enjoyed in Beethoven's piano music, with some of Hewitt's favourite examples, including his Sonata No 18 in E flat major.

Piano Sonata No 10 in G major, Op 14 No 2

II: Andante

Angela Hewitt, piano

Piano Sonata No 16 in G major, Op 31 No 1

I: Allegro vivace

Piano Sonata No 6 in F major, Op 10 No 2

III. Presto

Richard Goode, piano

Piano Sonata No 18 in E flat major, Op 31 No 3

Producer: Johannah Smith for BBC Cymru Wales

Donald Macleod and pianist Angela Hewitt discuss the humour in Beethoven's piano music.

2020

05 LAST

Beethoven The Innovator

20201023

Donald Macleod and pianist Angela Hewitt examine how Beethoven incorporated the technical advances made in the manufacture of the piano in his writing for the instrument, including the Hammerklavier.

In their final conversation, Donald Macleod and Angela Hewitt discuss how bigger pianos gave Beethoven full rein to write music which was completely modern in its time.

Piano Sonata No 23 in F minor (Appassionata), Op 57

I: Allegro assai

Angela Hewitt, piano

Piano Sonata No 17 in D minor (Tempest), Op 31 No 2

II: Adagio

Piano Sonata No 29 in B flat major (Hammerklavier), Op 106

Paul Lewis, piano

Piano Sonata No 26 in E flat major (Les adieux), Op 81a

II: Abwesenheit (absence): Andante espressivo

III: Das Wiedersehen (reunion): Vivacissimamente

Donald Macleod and Angela Hewitt examine Beethoven's use of advances in the piano.

Episodes

Series	Episode	Title	First Broadcast	Comments
2020	01	The Newcomer	20201019	Pianist Angela Hewitt shares her knowledge of Beethoven's opus 2 trilogy of piano sonatas with Donald Macleod. 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. Angela Hewitt and Donald Macleod begin today with a look at the piano sonatas a young Beethoven wrote, freshly arrived in Vienna, starting with his opus 2 trilogy. Piano Sonata No 1 in F minor, Op 2 No 1 I: Allegro Angela Hewitt, piano Piano Sonata No 2 in A major, Op 2 No 2 IV: Rondo: Grazioso Piano Sonata No 3 in C major, Op 2 No 3 (1795) II: Adagio Artur Schnabel, piano IV: Allegro assai Piano Sonata No 7 in D major, Op 10 No 3 II: Largo e mesto Produced by Johannah Smith for BBC Wales Pianist Angela Hewitt discusses Beethoven's opus 2 piano sonatas with Donald Macleod.
2020	02	Beethoven And The Influence Of Js Bach	20201020	Donald Macleod and pianist Angela Hewitt explore Beethoven's admiration for J.S. Bach and how his study of Bach's music informed his piano sonatas, including the Path退tique. 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. Today Angela Hewitt and Donald Macleod discuss the elements in Beethoven's writing for the piano, which reflect his study of Bach. Beethoven: Piano Sonata No 3 in C major, Op 2 No 3 III: Scherzo Angela Hewitt, piano Bach: Partita No 2 in C minor, BWV 826 (excerpt) 1. Sinfonia Beethoven: Piano Sonata No 8 in C minor, Op 13 (Path退tique) I: Grave - Allegro di molto e con brio Beethoven: Piano Sonata No 28 in A major, Op 101 IV: Allegro Geschwind, doch nicht zu sehr, und mit Entschlossenheit Bach: Fugue No 17 in A flat major, BWV 862 (excerpt) Beethoven: Piano Sonata No 31 in A flat major, Op 110 III: Fuga: Allegro ma non troppo Beethoven: Piano Sonata No 30 in E major, Op 109 III: Andante molto cantabile ed expressivo: Gesang mit innigster Empfindung Alfred Brendel, piano Producer: Johannah Smith for BBC Cymru Wales Donald Macleod and pianist Angela Hewitt explore Beethoven's admiration for J.S. Bach.
2020	03	The Art Of Cantabile	20201021	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 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 Piano Sonata No 16 in G major, Op 31 No 1 II: Adagio grazioso Piano Sonata No 8 in C minor, Op 13 (Path退tique) II: Adagio con espressione Producer: Johannah Smith for BBC Cymru Wales Donald Macleod and pianist Angela Hewitt celebrate the expressive moments in Beethoven.
2020	04	Beethoven And Humour	20201022	Pianist Angela Hewitt joins Donald Macleod to discuss the humour to be found and enjoyed in Beethoven's piano music, with some of Hewitt's favourite examples, including his Sonata No 18 in E flat 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. Piano Sonata No 10 in G major, Op 14 No 2 II: Andante Angela Hewitt, piano Piano Sonata No 16 in G major, Op 31 No 1 I: Allegro vivace Piano Sonata No 6 in F major, Op 10 No 2 III. Presto Richard Goode, piano Piano Sonata No 18 in E flat major, Op 31 No 3 Producer: Johannah Smith for BBC Cymru Wales Donald Macleod and pianist Angela Hewitt discuss the humour in Beethoven's piano music.
2020	05 LAST	Beethoven The Innovator	20201023	Donald Macleod and pianist Angela Hewitt examine how Beethoven incorporated the technical advances made in the manufacture of the piano in his writing for the instrument, including the Hammerklavier. 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 their final conversation, Donald Macleod and Angela Hewitt discuss how bigger pianos gave Beethoven full rein to write music which was completely modern in its time. Piano Sonata No 23 in F minor (Appassionata), Op 57 I: Allegro assai Angela Hewitt, piano Piano Sonata No 17 in D minor (Tempest), Op 31 No 2 II: Adagio Piano Sonata No 29 in B flat major (Hammerklavier), Op 106 Paul Lewis, piano Piano Sonata No 26 in E flat major (Les adieux), Op 81a II: Abwesenheit (absence): Andante espressivo III: Das Wiedersehen (reunion): Vivacissimamente Donald Macleod and Angela Hewitt examine Beethoven's use of advances in the piano.