Family Retreat

Johann van Beethoven invites his composer brother Ludwig and nephew Karl to recuperate at his country estate. He hopes the two of them will find a way to mend their broken relationship, but will Ludwig be able to keep his fiery temper in check?

This week, Donald Macleod reaches the final chapters of his year-long biography of Beethoven. The composer’s remaining years, 1825 to 1827, were marred by failing health and a traumatic family crisis but also saw Beethoven pushing resolutely forward in his art. He continued to surprise and astonish, producing a series of extraordinary late string quartets.

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.

String Quartet in E flat Op. 127, IV. Finale, Allegro
Van Kuijk Quartet

Piano Trio in D, Op. 70 No. 1 ‘Ghost’, III. Presto
Atos Trio

String Quartet in B flat, Op. 130, V. Cavatina & VI. Finale
Signum Quartett

Mass in C, Op. 86, I. Kyrie
Katherine van Kampen, soprano
Ingeborg Danz, mezzo soprano
Keith Lewis, tenor
Michel Brodard, bass-baritone
Gächinger Kantorei Stuttgart
Bach-Collegium Stuttgart, conducted by Helmut Rilling

String Quartet in F, Op. 135, I. Allegretto & II. Vivace
Van Kuijk Quartet