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'...the starry sky above me'

Donald Macleod explores the extraordinary premiere of Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony.

Donald Macleod explores the extraordinary premiere of Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony, which proved both a tremendous success and a financial disaster for the composer.

This week, Donald Macleod explores Ludwig van Beethoven’s life and work between 1822 and 1824 – a period during which the composer completed his greatest late masterpieces. It was also a time in which Beethoven became acutely aware of his own mortality, struggling with both his dwindling finances and his deteriorating health, and sought help from, among others, his brother Johann and a new secretary - Anton Schindler.

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.

Missa Solemnis, Op.123 – Kyrie: Kyrie Eleison (II)
Genia Kühmeier (soprano)
Elisabeth Kulman (mezzo-soprano)
Mark Padmore (tenor)
Hanno Müller-Brachmann (bass-baritone)
Anton Barachovsky (solo violin)
Chor and Symphonieorchester des Bayerischen Rundfunks
Bernard Haitink (conductor)

Der Kuss, Op.128
Werner Gura (tenor)
Christoph Berner (fortepiano)

Symphony no. 9, Op.125 - IV. Presto – Allegro ma non troppo
Katerina Beranova (soprano)
Lilli Paasikivi (mezzo soprano)
Hanno Müller-Brachmann (bass)
Robert Dean Smith (tenor)
MDR Rundfunkchor
GewandhausKinderchor
Gewandhauschor Leipzig
Gewandhausorchester Leipzig
Riccardo Chailly (conductor)

Bagatelles for piano, op.126
Andras Schiff (recorded in 2012 at the Beethovenhaus, Bonn)

Producer: Sam Phillips

59 minutes

Last on

Fri 6 Nov 2020 12:00

Music Played

  • Ludwig van Beethoven

    Mass In D Major, "Missa Solemnis", Op 123 (Kyrie)

    Performer: Anton Barachovsky. Singer: Genia Kühmeier. Singer: Elisabeth Kulman. Singer: Mark Padmore. Singer: Hanno Müller‐Brachmann. Orchestra: Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra. Choir: Bavarian Radio Symphony Choir. Conductor: Bernard Haitink.
    • BR KLASSIK : 900130.
    • BR KLASSIK.
    • 1.
  • Ludwig van Beethoven

    Der Kuss, Op 128

    Performer: Christoph Berner. Singer: Werner Güra.
    • HARMONIA MUNDI : HMC 902217.
    • HARMONIA MUNDI.
    • 10.
  • Ludwig van Beethoven

    Symphony No 9 in D minor, Op 125 (4th mvt)

    Performer: MDR Rundfunkchor Leipzig. Singer: Katerina Beranova. Singer: Lilli Paasikivi. Singer: Hanno Müller‐Brachmann. Singer: Robert Dean Smith. Orchestra: Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra. Choir: Gewandhaus Jugendchor. Choir: Gewandhauschor Leipzig. Conductor: Riccardo Chailly.
    • DECCA : 478-3492.
    • Decca.
    • 6.
  • Ludwig van Beethoven

    6 Bagatelles for piano, Op 126

    Performer: Sir András Schiff.
    • ECM 4810446.
    • ECM.
    • 35.

Broadcast

  • Fri 6 Nov 2020 12:00

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