 The influential composer combined traditional and innovative elements |
The BBC Philharmonic orchestra is marking the end of its 70th birthday season in Manchester by performing the complete Beethoven Symphonic Cycle. It will be the first time the cycle has been performed in the city for nearly 50 years.
The first part of the concert will be performed at the Bridgewater Hall on Friday and Saturday, with the second part following next month.
Principal Conductor Gianandrea Noseda says it is "a great musical puzzle".
The 41-year-old Italian said: "I will treat each symphony as if it had never been performed before, as if it were new.
"I see Symphony No 1 as having all the qualities of the classical period, with Symphony No 9 having a prescience that blazes the trail for Mahler's Symphony No 2."
"Although I adore all the symphonies, my personal favourites are 1, 4 and 8.
"They are less famous than the others, but I believe they show the more intimate, even feminine side of Beethoven - and the female characteristics of his work."
The last time the full cycle was performed in Manchester was under Sir John Barbirolli in the Halle's 1958/9 season.
The concert will be broadcast on BBC Radio 3 as part of the station's Beethoven marathon in June.
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