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After the death of his younger brother, Beethoven determined to take custody of his nephew Karl, despite the objections of Karl鈥檚 mother who was still very much alive.

Beethoven had never shown much interest in fatherhood but, following the death of his younger brother, he determined to take on that role for his nephew Karl, despite the objections of Karl鈥檚 mother who was still very much alive.

This week, Donald Macleod follows Ludwig van Beethoven through the years of 1816-1821, a period when the composer was moving towards yet another extraordinary and revolutionary flowering of his creativity. However, something was holding him back. Beethoven had resolved to become the legal guardian of his nephew, Karl, and to remove him from the care of his mother, Johanna. The resulting court battles would rumble on for five years, damaging everyone involved, consuming them all, and distracting Beethoven from his music.

Composer of the Week is returning to the story of Beethoven鈥檚 life and music throughout 2020. Part of Radio 3鈥檚 Beethoven Unleashed season marking the 250th anniversary of Beethoven鈥檚 birth.

Piano Sonata No.25, Op.79: II. Andante & III. Vivace
Maurizio Pollini, piano

String Quartet Op.95 鈥楽erioso鈥, III. Allegro assai vivace, ma serioso
The Lindsays

Sehnsucht, WoO.146
Benjamin Appl, baritone
Graham Johnson, piano

Cello Sonata Op.102, No.1
Nicolas Altstaedt, cello
Jos茅 Gallardo, piano

Variations on 鈥淚ch bin de Schneider Kakadu鈥 by Wenzel M眉ller, Op.121a
The Raphael Trio

59 minutes

Last on

Mon 5 Oct 2020 12:00

Music Played

  • Ludwig van Beethoven

    Piano Sonata No 25 in G Major, Op 79 (2nd & 3rd mvts)

    Performer: Maurizio Pollini.
    • DG : E4276422.
    • DG.
    • 8.
  • Ludwig van Beethoven

    String Quartet in F minor, 'Serioso', Op 95 (3rd mvt)

    Ensemble: The Lindsays.
    • ASV : CD DCA-1115.
    • ASV.
    • 3.
  • Ludwig van Beethoven

    Sehnsucht WoO 146

    Performer: Graham Johnson. Singer: Benjamin Appl.
  • Ludwig van Beethoven

    Cello Sonata in C major, Op 102, No 1

    Performer: Nicolas Altstaedt. Performer: Jos茅 Gallardo.
  • Ludwig van Beethoven

    Variations On 'Ich bin der Schneider Kakadu' by Wenzel M眉ller, Op.121a

    Ensemble: Raphael Trio.
    • Unicorn DKPCD9118.
    • Unicorn.
    • 1.

Broadcast

  • Mon 5 Oct 2020 12:00

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