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Writing for Eternity

Donald Macleod is joined by conductor John Eliot Gardiner to discuss Beethoven鈥檚 'Eroica' Symphony and his Fourth Symphony.

They have been described as 鈥渢he most sublime noise that has ever penetrated into the ear of man鈥, 鈥渁n expression of monumental intellect and innermost feeling鈥, and 鈥渕usic [which] sets in motion the machinery of awe, of fear, of terror, of pain.鈥 There is no question that Beethoven鈥檚 nine symphonies changed music forever. The colossal legacy of these works has hovered over generations of composers since, leading Johannes Brahms to exclaim: 鈥淵ou can't have any idea what it's like always to hear such a giant marching behind you!鈥

Over this week of programmes, Donald Macleod is joined by conductor John Eliot Gardiner, founder of the Monteverdi Choir and the Orchestre R茅volutionnaire et Romantique, to delve into the world of these nine sublime works.

In Tuesday鈥檚 programme, they explore Beethoven鈥檚 monumental Third Symphony, 鈥楨roica鈥, which was originally dedicated to Napoleon Bonaparte, and the greatly contrasting symphony that followed it 鈥 Beethoven鈥檚 Fourth.

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.

Producer: Sam Phillips

59 minutes

Music Played

  • Ludwig van Beethoven

    Symphony No 3 in E flat major, Op 55 "Eroica" (1st mvt)

    Orchestra: Philharmonia Orchestra. Conductor: Otto Klemperer.
    • EMI : CDM 763855-2.
    • EMI.
    • 1.
  • Ludwig van Beethoven

    The Creatures of Prometheus, Op 43 (excerpt from the Finale)

    Orchestra: Armonia Atenea. Conductor: George Petrou.
    • DECCA : 478 675 5.
    • DECCA.
    • 18.
  • Ludwig van Beethoven

    Symphony No 3 in E flat major, Op 55 "Eroica" (4th mvt)

    Orchestra: Orchestre R茅volutionnaire et Romantique. Conductor: Sir John Eliot Gardiner.
    • ARCHIV : 477-8643.
    • ARCHIV.
    • 4.
  • Ludwig van Beethoven

    Symphony No 4 in B flat major, Op 60 (1st mvt)

    Orchestra: NBC S O. Conductor: Arturo Toscanini.
    • RCA : GD60254.
    • RCA.
    • 6.
  • Ludwig van Beethoven

    Symphony No 4 in B flat major, Op 60 (2nd mvt)

    Ensemble: Concentus Musicus Vienna. Conductor: Nikolaus Harnoncourt.
    • Sony 88875136452.
    • Sony.
    • 2.

Broadcast

  • Tue 17 Nov 2020 12:00

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