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Writing for Eternity

Donald Macleod is joined by conductor John Eliot Gardiner to discuss Beethoven’s 'Eroica' Symphony and his Fourth Symphony.

They have been described as “the most sublime noise that has ever penetrated into the ear of man”, “an expression of monumental intellect and innermost feeling”, and “music [which] sets in motion the machinery of awe, of fear, of terror, of pain.” There is no question that Beethoven’s nine symphonies changed music forever. The colossal legacy of these works has hovered over generations of composers since, leading Johannes Brahms to exclaim: “You can't have any idea what it's like always to hear such a giant marching behind you!”

Over this week of programmes, Donald Macleod is joined by conductor John Eliot Gardiner, founder of the Monteverdi Choir and the Orchestre Révolutionnaire et Romantique, to delve into the world of these nine sublime works.

In Tuesday’s programme, they explore Beethoven’s monumental Third Symphony, ‘Eroica’, which was originally dedicated to Napoleon Bonaparte, and the greatly contrasting symphony that followed it – Beethoven’s Fourth.

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.

Producer: Sam Phillips

59 minutes

Music Played

  • Ludwig van Beethoven

    Symphony No 3 in E flat major, Op 55 "Eroica" (1st mvt)

    Orchestra: Philharmonia Orchestra. Conductor: Otto Klemperer.
    • EMI : CDM 763855-2.
    • EMI.
    • 1.
  • Ludwig van Beethoven

    The Creatures of Prometheus, Op 43 (excerpt from the Finale)

    Orchestra: Armonia Atenea. Conductor: George Petrou.
    • DECCA : 478 675 5.
    • DECCA.
    • 18.
  • Ludwig van Beethoven

    Symphony No 3 in E flat major, Op 55 "Eroica" (4th mvt)

    Orchestra: Orchestre Révolutionnaire et Romantique. Conductor: Sir John Eliot Gardiner.
    • ARCHIV : 477-8643.
    • ARCHIV.
    • 4.
  • Ludwig van Beethoven

    Symphony No 4 in B flat major, Op 60 (1st mvt)

    Orchestra: NBC S O. Conductor: Arturo Toscanini.
    • RCA : GD60254.
    • RCA.
    • 6.
  • Ludwig van Beethoven

    Symphony No 4 in B flat major, Op 60 (2nd mvt)

    Ensemble: Concentus Musicus Vienna. Conductor: Nikolaus Harnoncourt.
    • Sony 88875136452.
    • Sony.
    • 2.

Broadcast

  • Tue 17 Nov 2020 12:00

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