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The Aftermath of War

Donald Macleod explores how the after effects of Napoleon’s invasion of Vienna impacted Beethoven’s life and work.

Donald Macleod explores how the after effects of Napoleon’s invasion of Vienna including crippling economic sanctions and devaluation of the currency, impacted Beethoven’s life and work.

This week, Donald Macleod explores Ludwig van Beethoven’s life through the years of 1810-1812. This was a period of great financial hardship for all of Vienna in the aftermath of Napoleon’s second occupation of the city. Beethoven struggled through this economic depression, composing his Seventh and Eighth Symphonies with little hope of getting performances. The financial crisis wasn’t the only thing to afflict the composer either; alongside an increase in physical ailments, Beethoven also suffered a great emotional crisis which culminated in the letter he wrote to his unnamed ‘Immortal Beloved’.

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.

Fantasie in G minor, Op 77
Anna Tsybuleva, piano

Piano Concerto No 5 in E flat major, Op 73 “Emperor” (2nd and 3rd movements)
Clifford Curzon, piano
ѿý Symphony Orchestra
Pierre Boulez, conductor

Piano Trio No 7 in B flat major, Op 97 "Archduke" (4th movement)
Isabelle Faust, violin
Jean-Guihen Queyras, cello
Alexander Melnikov, fortepiano

Egmont Overture, Op 84
Munich Philharmonic
Christian Thielemann, conductor

Producer: Sam Phillips

57 minutes

Last on

Mon 10 Aug 2020 13:00

Music Played

  • Ludwig van Beethoven

    Fantasia in G minor, Op 77

    Performer: Anna Tsybuleva.
    • Champs Hill Records : CHRCD131.
    • Champs Hill Records.
    • 2.
  • Ludwig van Beethoven

    Piano Concerto No 5 in E flat major, Op 73 (Emperor) (2nd and 3rd mvts)

    Performer: Clifford Curzon. Orchestra: ѿý Scottish Symphony Orchestra.
  • Ludwig van Beethoven

    Piano Trio in B flat major, Op 97 'Archduke' (4th mvt)

    Performer: Isabelle Faust. Performer: Jean‐Guihen Queyras. Performer: Alexander Melnikov.
    • HARMONIA MUNDI : HMC-902125.
    • HARMONIA MUNDI.
    • 8.
  • Ludwig van Beethoven

    Egmont - Overture

    Orchestra: Munich Philharmonic Orchestra. Conductor: Christian Thielemann.
    • DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON : 477-6404.
    • DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON.
    • 1.

Broadcast

  • Mon 10 Aug 2020 13:00

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