Ludwig van Beethoven (1770 - 1827)

[kernelbogey]

Beethoven Unleashed

Donald Macleod explores the life and work of Beethoven in 26 fortnightly programmes.

[Serial_Apologist]

This is what I like so much about the BBC - it's thoughtful, balanced approach and judicious lack of hyperbole.

[kernelbogey]

This looks to be a terrific treat. Who better than Donald Macleod to lead such a quest?

[Bryn]

This looks to be a terrific treat. Who better than Donald Macleod to lead such a quest?

John Suchet?

[kernelbogey]

John Suchet?

I expect he'll make an appearance!

[Bryn]

I expect he'll make an appearance!

If his CFM contract lets him.

[ardcarp]

This is what I like so much about the BBC - it's thoughtful, balanced approach and judicious lack of hyperbole.

I've never liked these saturation projects. A Bach weekend is one thing. A Beethoven year is quite another. As CotW is partly biograpphical, it makes me wonder how detailed Donald is going to get given that 125 episodes [really?] have to be filled. (Wig disposal, bathroom visits, ear-trumpet de-waxing?)

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

As CotW is partly biograpphical, it makes me wonder how detailed Donald is going to get given that 125 episodes [really?] have to be filled. (Wig disposal, bathroom visits, ear-trumpet de-waxing?)

[Bryn]

:biggr

I've never liked these saturation projects. A Bach weekend is one thing. A Beethoven year is quite another. As CotW is partly biograpphical, it makes me wonder how detailed Donald is going to get given that 125 episodes [really?] have to be filled. (Wig disposal, bathroom visits, ear-trumpet de-waxing?)

Since the complete oeuvre might take only around 100 hours to broadcast. That would leave around 12 minutes per episode for talk.

[LMcD]

Since the complete oeuvre might take only around 100 hours to broadcast. That would leave around 12 minutes per episode for talk.

Does that include the numerous Werke Ohne Opusnummer?

[kernelbogey]

....As CotW is partly biograpphical, it makes me wonder how detailed Donald is going to get given that 125 episodes [really?] have to be filled. (Wig disposal, bathroom visits, ear-trumpet de-waxing?)

It could be done in silence on television with all material presented in writing in small notebooks with close-up camera work

[kernelbogey]

I've never liked these saturation projects. A Bach weekend is one thing. A Beethoven year is quite another....

I believe that the growth in demand for podcasts - hence the introduction of ZOUNDZ! - indicates both a demand for music and for musical information. COTW is an ideal educational medium. And everyone's heard of Beethoven!

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

Does that include the numerous Werke Ohne Opusnummer?

Yup - the Warner "Complete Beethoven" boxed set takes 80CDs, each around the 70 min duration mark.

I've said elsewhere that I think there is a huge difference between the "-athons" of the Wright era, in which everything a composer wrote was broadcast non-stop* back-to-back for a week or more, and this year-long celebration of hour-long programmes, broadcast every other week, and with other Music between each programme.

If it is done properly (big "if", I know) it seems to me to be an entirely appropriate way for R3 to celebrate the work of one of humanity's greatest thinkers.

* - (with pauses for introductory comments by the presenters, and trailers for the programmes you were already listening to)

[MickyD]

One pleasant discovery for me (found in a street market stall here in France) was a big box of the Scottish, Irish and Welsh folksongs recorded for the DG anniversary series some years ago with Malcolm Martineau as the pianist. Delightful.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

One pleasant discovery for me (found in a street market stall here in France) was a big box of the Scottish, Irish and Welsh folksongs recorded for the DG anniversary series some years ago with Malcolm Martineau as the pianist. Delightful.

- one of the great discoveries for me in the Warner "Big Box". I couldn't cope with a whole CD in one sitting, but with the contents spread over three 25-minute hearings, they're glorious. I'd love to hear some of these included in recitals - the arrangements with Piano Trio would ideal for a Lunchtime Concert.

(The performances of the orchestral Contredanses in that box are less successful - but give an idea that there is much more to be enjoyed from these pieces. I'd love to hear the Freiburg Baroquers doing their stuff with these works!)