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Beethoven struggles with the responsibility of looking after his nephew, while Karl's mother fights to maintain a say in the boy's upbringing.

Beethoven finds that looking after his young nephew is more challenging that he had anticipated, while Karl鈥檚 mother - Beethoven鈥檚 sister-in-law - fights to maintain a say in the boy's upbringing.

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.

Fugue for Strings Op.137
WDR Symphony Orchestra Cologne Chamber Players

Quintet for strings Op.104, III. Menuetto & IV. Finale
WDR Symphony Orchestra Cologne Chamber Players

Piano Sonata No.29, Op.106 鈥淗ammerklavier鈥: II. Scherzo & III. Adagio Sostenuto
Mitsuko Uchida, piano

National Airs with Variations Op.107, No.5
Wolfgang Schulz, flute
Rudolf Buchbinder, piano

Bagatelle in B flat, WoO.60
Alfred Brendel, piano

59 minutes

Music Played

  • Ludwig van Beethoven

    Fugue for strings in D Major, Op 137

    Performer: Cologne Chamber Players. Orchestra: Cologne Radio Orchestra.
    • ALPHA : ALPHA-585.
    • ALPHA.
    • 9.
  • Ludwig van Beethoven

    Quintet for strings in C minor, Op 104

    Performer: Cologne Chamber Players. Orchestra: Cologne Radio Orchestra.
    • ALPHA : ALPHA-585.
    • ALPHA.
    • 7.
  • Ludwig van Beethoven

    Piano Sonata No 29 in B flat major, Op 106 "Hammerklavier" (3rd & 4th mvts)

    Performer: Mitsuko Uchida.
    • PHILIPS : 475-8662.
    • PHILIPS.
    • 5.
  • Ludwig van Beethoven

    National Airs with Variations, Op 107, No 5

    Performer: Wolfgang Schulz. Performer: Rudolf Buchbinder.
    • WARNER CLASSICS : 9029532410.
    • WARNER CLASSICS.
    • 11.
  • Ludwig van Beethoven

    Bagatelle In B flat major, WoO 60

    Performer: Alfred Brendel.
    • PHILIPS : 456 031-2-.
    • PHILIPS.
    • 27.

Broadcast

  • Wed 7 Oct 2020 12:00

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