Diminishing Returns

Beethoven’s hearing had now deteriorated to the point where normal conversation was almost impossible. He took to carrying around notebooks so people could write down what they wanted to say to him, creating an extraordinary and detailed record of his day-to-day life.

This week, Donald Macleod follows Ludwig van Beethoven through the years of 1816-1821, a period when the composer was moving towards yet another extraordinary and revolutionary flowering of his creativity. However, something was holding him back. Beethoven had resolved to become the legal guardian of his nephew, Karl, and to remove him from the care of his mother, Johanna. The resulting court battles would rumble on for five years, damaging everyone involved, consuming them all, and distracting Beethoven from his music.

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.

Beethoven: Piano Sonata No.16, Op.31 No.1: I. Allegro Vivace
Igor Levit, piano

The Creatures of Prometheus (extracts)
Armonia Atenea
Conducted by George Petrou

Abschiedsgesang WoO.102
Berliner Solisten
Dietrich Knothe, Director

Piano Sonata No.30, Op.109
Igor Levit, piano

The Miller of Dee WoO.157, No.4
Dania El Zein, mezzo soprano
John Bernard, tenor
Jean-François Rouchon, baritone
Alessandro Fagiuoli, violin
Andrea Musto, cello
Jean-Pierre Armengaud, piano