The music of Beethoven on Scala Radio in 2020
Gripping music, a tempestuous man, and the impact both has had on the world of classical music over the past 250 years.
Last updated 4th Feb 2020
This year sees 250 years pass since the birth of Ludwig van Beethoven, arguably the greatest of classical music composers.
Some will be familiar with the most recognisable of classical music tunes written by the German composer – the opening of the fifth symphony, exactly the kind of music any of us want to underpin a dramatic moment. Others might know the man because of the Moonlight Sonata.
If you know neither don’t worry. We’re not too bothered about that. All the better really, because you’ll hear them fresh alongside a great many other Beethoven pieces across our programmes on Scala Radio throughout this year.
Beethoven’s music in a nutshell
Pianist Warren Mailley-Smith spoke to Simon Mayo last Saturday introducing the third of Beethoven’s piano concertos – one of the pieces that Simon has featured in his ‘Epic Saturday’ spot.
We think Warren sums up one of the great things about Beethoven’s music today.
“250 years can pass and it’s still as gripping as it was when he first wrote it. His music seems so relevant today. His music is all about human emotions: happiness, sadness, excitement, drama, beauty – all these things speak through the music.”
The impact of Beethoven's hearing loss on his music
Beethoven was born in 1770 and died 57 years later. In some respects the dates aren’t that important. What he achieved during his life is what is part of what is striking.
Nine symphonies (some of the most well-loved pieces in the classical music world), eleven concertos, plus in excess of 150 instrumental works.
That this work continued following his loss of hearing and subsequent depression from the age of 28 makes his achievement all the more fascinating.
What Scala’s doing to mark Beethoven 250
Throughout this year we’ll be joining arts organisations, festivals and orchestras, and inviting guests into the studio to talk about the life and music of Ludwig van Beethoven.
We’ll be broadcasting special series of programmes which delve into some unfamiliar aspects of the man and his output. Experts and fans will share their love of the great man’s music in what we hope will be a fascinating profile of arguably the greatest classical music composer.
We can’t share the details just yet, but we will in the coming weeks.
LISTEN to Scala’s Album of the Week: NDR Philharmonie and Andrew Manze play Beethoven 5 and 7 on Simon Mayo's show
In the meantime, be sure to catch up on some of our programmes this week on Listen Again to hear tracks from the Album of the Week - Andrew Manze's recording of Beethoven's fifth and seventh symphonies with the NDR Philharmonie, available up to seven days after broadcast. Links below.