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With movements from the iconic Missa Solemnis and Ninth Symphony, and Beethoven's last set of piano bagatelles played on his own fortepiano.

Donald Macleod explores Beethoven's final 12 years, concentrating on movements from the Missa Solemnis and the Ninth Symphony, the two grand public utterances of Beethoven's last decade. The Ninth achieved iconic status almost immediately; the Mass, regarded by the composer as his greatest work, is considered to have been neglected.

Plus Beethoven's last set of piano bagatelles, played on his own fortepiano - a gift from Thomas Broadwood of London.

Falstafferel, WoO184 (1823)
Members of the Kammerchor der Berliner Singakademie and the Berliner Solisten
Deutsche Gramophon 453 794-2
CD 2 Track 52

Gloria (Missa Solemnis - in D for four solo voices, chorus, orchestra and organ, Op 123, 1819-23)
Eva Mei (soprano)
Marjana Lipovsek (contralto)
Anthony Rolfe Johnson (tenor)
Robert Holl (bass)
Chamber Orchestra of Europe
Arnold Schoenberg Choir (chorus master: Erwin Ortner)
Nikolaus Harnoncourt (conductor)
Warner Classics 2564 63779-2
CD 13 Track 2

Six Bagatelles, Op 126 (1823-4)
Melvyn Tan (fortepiano)
EMI 7 54526 2
Tracks 21-26

Symphony No 9 in D minor, Op 125 - 1822-4 (1st mvt)
Allegro ma non troppo, un poco maestoso
Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra
Charles Mackerras (conductor)
EMI CD-EMX 2186
Track 1.

1 hour

Broadcasts

  • Thu 31 Jan 2008 12:00
  • Thu 31 Jan 2008 20:45
  • Thu 12 Feb 2009 12:00
  • Thu 12 Feb 2009 22:00

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