
Beethoven and the Bass
Donald Macleod is joined by Chi-chi Nwanoku to explore Beethoven’s writing for the double bass.
Donald Macleod is joined by Chi-chi Nwanoku to explore Beethoven’s writing for the double bass.
Throughout this week, Donald Macleod meets with different professional musicians to get a performer's eye view of Beethoven’s music and the challenges it presents.
During Beethoven’s life, great technical advances were being made to musical instruments such as the keyboard and the horn. It was also a period when virtuoso musicians of all kinds began to tour Europe and Beethoven was able to meet some of the greatest exponents of different instruments and learn from them. He was inspired to push the limits of his performers as never before, and his works continue to fascinate and challenge musicians today.
Today, Donald Macleod is joined by Chi-chi Nwanoku to explore Beethoven from the perspective of a double bassist. Chi-chi shares her thoughts on what it’s like to perform and record Beethoven on a regular basis, and also her experience of working with conductor, Sir Roger Norrington and following Beethoven precise tempo markings. Donald and Chi-chi also discuss the impact the virtuoso bass player Domenico Dragonetti had on Beethoven's music.
Composer of the Week is returning to the story of Beethoven’s life and music throughout 2020 as part of Radio 3’s Beethoven Unleashed season marking the 250th anniversary of Beethoven’s birth.
Symphony No 6 in F, Op 68 “Pastoral” (Donner. Sturm)
Vienna Philharmonic
Sir Simon Rattle, conductor
Symphony No 7 in A, Op 92 (Allegro con brio)
Chamber Orchestra of Europe
Nikolaus Harnoncourt, conductor
Septet in E flat, Op 20 (Scherzo)
The Nash Ensemble
Symphony No 9 in D minor, Op 125 “Choral” (Presto)
Rebecca Nash, soprano
Wilke te Brummelstroete, mezzo-soprano
Marcel Beekman, tenor
Michael Tews, bass
Laurens Collegium
Laurens Cantorij
Orchestra of the 18th Century
Frans Bruggen, director
Produced by Luke Whitlock for ѿý Wales.
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Music Played
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Ludwig van Beethoven
Symphony No 6 in F major 'Pastoral', Op 68 (4th mvt)
Orchestra: Vienna Philharmonic. Conductor: Sir Simon Rattle.- WARNER : 2435575685.
- WARNER.
- 8.
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Ludwig van Beethoven
Symphony no.7 in A major Op.92 (4th mvt)
Orchestra: Chamber Orchestra of Europe. Conductor: Nikolaus Harnoncourt.- WARNER : 2564-63779 2.
- WARNER.
- 1.
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Ludwig van Beethoven
Septet in E flat major, Op 20 (5th mvt)
Orchestra: Nash Ensemble.- ERATO : 5221262.
- ERATO.
- 8.
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Ludwig van Beethoven
Symphony No 9 in D minor 'Choral', Op 125 (4th mvt)
Performer: Orchestra of the Eighteenth Century. Performer: Michael Tews. Performer: Laurens Collegium, Rotterdam. Performer: Laurens Cantorij, Rotterdam. Conductor: Frans Brüggen. Singer: Rebecca Nash. Singer: Wilke te Brummelstroete. Singer: Marcel Beekman.- GLOSSA : GCDSA-921116.
- GLOSSA.
- 4.
Broadcast
- Mon 24 Aug 2020 13:00ѿý Radio 3
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