Five Essential Beethoven Recordings

[Parry1912]

though I think officially Hitler was not Head of State.

I believe he was after Hindenburg’s death when the office of President was abolished.

[cloughie]

When George VI died in 1952 the BBC shut down completely all day, leaving millions wondering what had happened. I heard this from my mother (it was a few days before I was born) who was trying to get 'Story time' for my sister to listen to . She asked our neighbour, who said 'haven't you heard? The King's dead'.

How could we have heard ? Carrier pigeon?

(note for younger readers: at that time the BBC Home Service and Light programme were the only broadcasting in Britain. The Third Programme and BBC Television (one channel) didn't come on till evening.)

I always think it was nicer to have names rather than numbers in particular ‘Home Service’ was such a welcoming name!

[Mandryka]

Here's one of the five

BEETHOVEN : Turkish March from "Die Ruinen von Athen", arranged for 8 pianos with a very special ending - GINA BACHAUER, JORGE BOLET, JEANNE-MARIE DARRE, ALICIA DE LARROCHA, JOHN LILL, RADU LUPU, GARRICK OHLSSON, BALINT VAZSONYI


From GALA BENEFIT CONCERT FOR THE "INTERNATIONAL PIANO LIBRARY" ROYAL ALBERT HALL, LONDON, DECEMBER 9, 1974.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-QTHqOqLX8U&ab_channel=pianotreasures