Letter to the 'Immortal Beloved'
Donald Macleod examines a love letter by Beethoven and tries to uncover the identity of the mystery woman who inspired it.
Donald Macleod examines a love letter by Beethoven and tries to uncover the identity of the mystery woman who inspired it.
This week Donald Macleod is joined by Beethoven scholar Erica Buurman and biographer Jan Swafford to investigate some the many documents and papers that Beethoven left behind after his death, which are now scattered in archives and collections across the world. Donald and his guests explore high-quality, digital facsimiles of Beethoven’s most personal records including his letters, notebooks and journals; scouring them for clues to his relationships, his work and his everyday life.
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.
Violin Sonata No.5, Op. 24, II. Andante molto expressivo
Gidon Kremer, violin
Martha Argerich, piano
Piano Sonata No.24, Op.78, II. Allegro Vivace
Maurizio Pollini, piano
Andante Favori, WoO.57
Sviatoslav Richter, piano
Diabelli Variations, Op.120 (Vars. 18-24)
Alfred Brendel, piano
Missa Solemnis: Credo (excerpt)
Monteverdi Choir
Orchestre Révolutionnaire et Romantique
conducted by Sir John Eliot Gardiner
Last on
Music Played
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Ludwig van Beethoven
Violin Sonata in F major, Op 24 'Spring' (2nd movement)
Performer: Gidon Kremer. Performer: Martha Argerich.- DG 4767256.
- DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON.
- 12.
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Ludwig van Beethoven
Piano Sonata No 24 in F sharp major, Op 78 (2nd movement)
Performer: Maurizio Pollini.- DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON : 474-451-2.
- DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON.
- 7.
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Ludwig van Beethoven
Andante in F major, WoO 57 (Andante Favori)
Performer: Sviatoslav Richter.- WARNER CLASSICS : 9029540139.
- WARNER CLASSICS.
- 4.
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Ludwig van Beethoven
33 Variations on a Waltz by Diabelli in C major, Op 120 (Variations 18-24)
Performer: Alfred Brendel.- PHILIPS : 426-232-2.
- PHILIPS.
- 1.
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Ludwig van Beethoven
Mass in D major, Op 123 (Missa Solemnis): Credo
Choir: Monteverdi Choir. Orchestra: Orchestre Révolutionnaire et Romantique. Conductor: Sir John Eliot Gardiner.- ARCHIV : 429-779-2.
- ARCHIV.
- 3.
A document with an agonising mystery
Broadcast
- Tue 30 Jun 202012:00BBC Radio 3
Beethoven Unleashed – the box set
The complete set of Radio 3 Beethoven Unleashed podcasts, with Donald Macleod.
What was really wrong with Beethoven?
Georgia Mann and neurosurgeon Henry Marsh examine the composer's numerous health problems
Composers A to Z
Visit the extensive audio archive of Radio 3 programmes about Composers and their works.
Who knew? Five eye-opening stories from Composer of the Week
The production team reflects on 5 of Donald Macleod’s best stories from the last 20 years
Five reasons why we love Parry's Jerusalem
What is the strange power of Jerusalem which makes strong men weep?
A man out of time – why Parry's music and ideas were at odds with his image...
The composer of Jerusalem was very far from the conservative figure his image suggests.
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