The Conversation Books
Donald Macleod leafs through the notebooks used by Beethoven鈥檚 circle to converse in writing with the deaf composer.
Donald Macleod leafs through the notebooks used by Beethoven鈥檚 circle to converse in writing with the deaf composer.
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鈥檚 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鈥檚 life and music throughout 2020. Part of Radio 3鈥檚 Beethoven Unleashed season marking the 250th anniversary of Beethoven鈥檚 birth.
Sonata for Cello and Piano Op.69, II. Scherzo
Mischa Maisky, cello
Martha Argerich, piano
Fidelio: Act 1 No.1: Jetzt, Sch盲tzchen, jetzt sind wir allein
Christoph Strehl, tenor (Jaquino)
Rachel Harnisch, soprano (Marzelline)
Mahler Chamber Orchestra
Lucerne Festival Orchestra
Conducted by Claudio Abbado
Piano Trio, Op. 97 鈥楢rchduke鈥�, III. Andante Cantabile, Ma Per貌 con Moto 鈥� Poco pi霉 Adagio
Trio Owon
Triple Concerto, Op.56, I. Allegro
Gordan Nikolitch, violin
Tim Hugh, cello
Lars Vogt, piano
London Symphony Orchestra
conducted by Bernard Haitink
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Music Played
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Ludwig van Beethoven
Cello Sonata in A major, Op 69 (2nd movement)
Performer: Mischa Maisky. Performer: Martha Argerich.- DEUTSCHE GRAMMOP : 437-514-2.
- DEUTSCHE GRAMMOP.
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Ludwig van Beethoven
Fidelio, Act I No.1: Jetzt, Sch盲tzchen, jetzt sind wir allein
Singer: Christoph Strehl. Singer: Rachel Harnisch. Orchestra: Mahler Chamber Orchestra. Orchestra: Lucerne Festival Orchestra. Conductor: Claudio Abbado.- DECCA : 478-2551.
- DECCA.
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Ludwig van Beethoven
Piano Trio in B flat major, Op 97 'Archduke' (3rd movement)
Ensemble: Trio Owon.- DECCA : 4810701.
- DECCA.
- 3.
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Ludwig van Beethoven
Triple Concerto in C major, Op 56 (1st movement)
Performer: Gordan Nikolitch. Performer: Timothy Hugh. Performer: Lars Vogt. Orchestra: London Symphony Orchestra. Conductor: Bernard Haitink.- LSO0078.
- LSO0078.
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Examples from Beethoven鈥檚 Conversation Books
As his hearing deteriorated, Beethoven began carrying notebooks, in which his companions would write down questions and comments.聽 Here are links to some examples from Beethoven鈥檚聽 Conversation Books, as mentioned in this programme, from the Staatsbibliothek in Berlin.
an exchange with his nephew Karl, from August 1825, talking about dinner arrangements and grocery shopping!
, in December 1826, Karl is teaching Beethoven how to multiply:
are some visually interesting pages from Nov/Dec 1819, providing a look at the different ways in which the conversation books were used.
- Fol. 6r: Oliva (friend and secretary) having a conversation mostly about business things. Oliva鈥檚 writing is neat.
- Fol. 6v (the following page): the messy scrawl in the middle is Beethoven making notes, copying an ad from that day鈥檚 newspaper - Official鈥檚 widow seeks employment as housekeeper - inquire at the chocolate shop 鈥� No682 Rothg盲ssel.聽On either side the newspaper鈥檚 editor, Joseph Bernard is making short remarks, including 鈥渟ometime on a Sunday we鈥檒l go to Klosterneuburg鈥�:
is Beethoven, with his male friends Peters and Bernard, having a talk about women in 1820:
And finally, an example where his friend Schindler (who kept these books when Beethoven died) has altered an entry to show himself in a good light (from 30 March 鈥� 1 April 1824):
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