Main content

Donald Macleod explores Beethoven’s final years and his ever-changing relationship with this nephew Karl.

Donald Macleod explores Beethoven’s final years and his ever-changing relationship with this nephew Karl. This was a period when Karl was increasingly unhappy. leading to an attempt to take his own life. However, after Beethoven’s death, Karl emerges as his own person and can finally follow a path of his own choosing.

Waltz in E flat, WoO 85
Ronald Brautigam, fortepiano

Tremate, empi, tremate, Op 116
Janice Watson, soprano
John Mark Ainsley, tenor
Gwynne Howell, bass
Corydon Orchtesra
Matthew Best, conductor

String Quartet No 15 in A minor, Op 132 (Molto adagio)
Tokyo String Quartet

Elegischer Gesang ‘Sanft wie du lebtest‘, Op 118
Collegium Musicum 90
Richard Hickox, conductor

Piano Sonata No 12 in A flat, Op 26 (Marche Funebre)
András Schiff, piano

Produced by Luke Whitlock

29 days left to listen

59 minutes

Last on

Yesterday 16:00

Music Played

  • Ludwig van Beethoven

    Waltz in D major, WoO 85

    Performer: Ronald Brautigam.
    • BIS : 2403.
    • BIS.
    • 39.
  • Ludwig van Beethoven

    Tremate, empi, tremate, Op 116

    Performer: Corydon Orchestra. Conductor: Matthew Best. Singer: Janice Watson. Singer: John Mark Ainsley. Singer: Gwynne Howell.
    • HYPERION : 4880423.
    • HYPERION.
    • 10.
  • Ludwig van Beethoven

    String Quartet in A minor, Op 132 (3rd mvt)

    Ensemble: Tokyo String Quartet.
    • Harmonia Mundi HMU807641/48.
    • Harmonia Mundi.
    • 3.
  • Ludwig van Beethoven

    Elegischer Gesang "Sanft Wie Du Lebtest" Op 118

    Orchestra: Collegium Musicum 90. Conductor: Richard Hickox.
    • CHANDOS : CHAN-0703.
    • CHANDOS.
    • 14.
  • Ludwig van Beethoven

    Piano Sonata No 12 in A flat major, Op 26

    Performer: Sir András Schiff.
    • ECM : 4765875.
    • ECM.
    • 1.
  • Ottorino Respighi

    Bergamasca (Ancient Airs and Dances - Suite no.2)

    Orchestra: Academy of St Martin in the Fields. Conductor: Neville Marriner.
    • Respighi: Ancient Airs and Dances.
    • HMV.
    • 8.

Broadcast

  • Yesterday 16:00

Beethoven Unleashed – the box set

Beethoven Unleashed – the box set

The complete set of Radio 3 Beethoven Unleashed podcasts, with Donald Macleod.

What was really wrong with Beethoven?

What was really wrong with Beethoven?

Georgia Mann and neurosurgeon Henry Marsh examine the composer's numerous health problems

Composers A to Z

Composers A to Z

Visit the extensive audio archive of Radio 3 programmes about Composers and their works.

Who knew? Five eye-opening stories from Composer of the Week

Who knew? Five eye-opening stories from Composer of the Week

The production team reflects on 5 of Donald Macleod’s best stories from the last 20 years

Five reasons why we love Parry's Jerusalem

What is the strange power of Jerusalem which makes strong men weep?

A man out of time – why Parry's music and ideas were at odds with his image...

The composer of Jerusalem was very far from the conservative figure his image suggests.

Composer Help Page

Find resources and contacts for composers from within the classical music industry.