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Love and Longing

Donald Macleod introduces the cello sonata dedicated to a friend Beethoven asked to help him find a wife and the choral work barely finished in time for his own benefit concert.

In 1807 there was an explosion in performances of Beethoven's music. His name on a concert programme would guarantee a full house, and his music became the biggest draw for Viennese audiences, second only to Haydn. And thanks to a rise in popularity of domestic music-making, there was a huge demand for instrumental music. Donald Macleod introduces the cello sonata dedicated to a friend Beethoven had asked to help him find a wife, one of his most popular piano pieces presented to the woman in question, and the extraordinary choral work, barely finished in time for his own benefit concert which broke down during the first performance.

1 hour

Music Played

  • Ludwig van Beethoven

    Bagatelle (fur Elise) in A minor WoO.59 for piano

    Performer: Alfred BRENDEL - Piano (Piano)

    • PHILIPS.
    • 456 031-2-.
  • Ludwig van Beethoven

    Sonata in A major Op.69 for cello and piano

    Performer: Angela HEWITT - Piano Performer: Daniel MULLER-SCHOTT - Cello

    • HYPERION.
    • CDA67633.
  • Ludwig van Beethoven

    Sehnsucht (Nur wer die Sehnsucht kennt) WoO.134`4 [4th setting]

    Performer: Ann MURRAY - Mezzo-soprano Performer: Iain BURNSIDE - Piano

    • SIGNUM.
    • SIGCD-139.
  • Ludwig van Beethoven

    Fantasia in C minor Op.80 for piano, chorus and orchestra

    Conductor: Claudio ABBADO Performer: Camille CAPASSO - Mezzo-soprano Performer: Cheryl STUDER - Soprano Performer: Friedrich MOLSBERGER - Bass Performer: Hiroshi OSHIMA - Tenor Performer: John ALER - Tenor Performer: Kristina CLEMENZ - Soprano Performer: Yevgeni KISSIN - Piano Performer: Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra Performer: Rias Chamber Choir

    • Deutsche Grammophon.
    • DG4537982.

Broadcasts

  • Tue 13 Dec 2011 12:00
  • Tue 13 Dec 2011 18:30
  • Tue 28 Feb 2017 12:00
  • Tue 28 Feb 2017 18:30

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