Creeping Catastrophe
Beethoven writes to his best friend to tell him a terrible secret; his hearing has been slowly deteriorating and he fears his career may be over. Presented by Donald Macleod.
Beethoven writes to his best friend to tell him a terrible secret; his hearing has been slowly deteriorating and he fears his career may be cut short before it’s barely begun.
All this week, Donald Macleod traces Beethoven’s story through the years 1799-1801. As he reaches his thirtieth birthday, we see Beethoven finally emerging as a mature composer and beginning to produce the enduring works that will mark him out as one of the great artists of his age. But there are clouds on the horizon too, and we see the first intimations of a serious problem with his hearing.
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.8 in C minor Op. 13 ‘Pathetique’
Khatia Buniatishvili, piano
String Quintet in C, Op 29, II Adagio molto espressivo & IV. Presto
Malin Broman, viola
Elias Quartet
Symphony No.5, IV. Allegro
BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Donald Runnicles
Last on
Music Played
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Ludwig van Beethoven
Piano Sonata No. 8 in C minor, Op 13, 'Pathetique' (1st mvt)
Performer: Khatia Buniatishvili.![]()
Ludwig van Beethoven
Piano Sonata No. 8 in C minor, Op 13, 'Pathetique' (2nd & 3rd mvt)
Performer: Khatia Buniatishvili.![]()
Ludwig van Beethoven
String Quintet in C major, Op 29 (2nd & 4 mvt)
Performer: Malin Broman. Ensemble: Elias String Quartet.![]()
Ludwig van Beethoven
Symphony No. 5 in C minor, Op 67 (4th mvt)
Orchestra: BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra. Conductor: Donald Runnicles.
Broadcast
- Wed 22 Apr 202012:00BBC Radio 3
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