Scala Radio Presents Beethoven: The Basics with Andy Bush
Last updated 6th Apr 2020
Radio broadcaster, writer and illustrator Andy Bush is well known for his love of indie music and comedy scene, but he also has a burgeoning passion for the world of classical music, and in particular Beethoven.
So, here at Scala Radio we’ve enlisted Andy to bring it back to basics and present a new four-part series exploring Ludwig van Beethoven.
With 2020 marking the 250th anniversary of the great composer’s birth, this series takes a look at Beethoven’s early years, the important people in his life – from friends, relatives and the objects of his affections - significant performances and premieres of his works, and, in the fourth and final episode, the composer's legacy.
Andy Bush is a self-confessed beginner when it comes to the life and music of Beethoven.
“I feel as though I know very little about him, so this is the beginning of the journey for me,” said Andy when we spoke to him earlier in the week about the series. “It’s going to be great to bring other newcomers along with me too.”
Where did his interest for classical music come from?
“Strangely enough, my eldest daughter always puts Scala on while we’re in the house – she finds it really calming. That was my introduction to Scala Radio and classical music too. I think she found it a safe-haven from playing on her tablet. I think she’d identify that calming element from it, it’s lovely soothing music in the chaos of the modern world.
“I think I’m finding that classical music is something you can step into when you want and find your way a little more as you want … that has been very helpful for getting my brain working in the right way."
Any current favourites?
“In addition to listening to a lot of Beethoven at the moment (!) I’m also listening to City Noir by John Adams. It's dramatic with a cinematic feel to it. What I’m particularly enjoying is being ‘brand new’ to this classical music hobby – so I’m always looking for advice, trying to soak up as much as I can.”
You're a board gamer aren’t you? How do you get people engaged in your hobby of gaming?
“I’m always trying to convince people! Imagination plays a part in the board game interaction, just like classical music."
I want people to be able to come to board gaming with a curiosity and feeling welcomed. It’s the same with classical music. Come to it without people looking down at you. It’s accessible, it’s all around you. People are often unaware of that."
What have you enjoyed about your Beethoven discoveries?
“I’m obsessed with stories… anything with a story to it I am fascinated by, and especially the parallels with the modern day artists from other genres I’m more familiar with.
"Beethoven is such a fascinating character, something I came to appreciate listening to a podcast series about the life and times of Beethoven. There are so many elements of a rock and roll type story in Beethoven I think – out-spoken, mouthing off quite a bit about his peers – a sort of Liam Gallagher thing about him. He trashed pianos by playing them too hard. That’s combative music. That’s what Beethoven is. His life is war and I love that.”
We're really looking forward to Andy's new series on Scala Radio starting - a great opportunity to immerse ourselves in the world's most famous composer.
Every episode will be packed full of Beethoven’s most popular works along with some lesser-known musical discoveries.
The first episode explores Beethoven’s formative years, including his early works and the composers who inspired him, and features his ‘Piano Concerto No.0’, which he started writing when he was just 12, and his first symphony.
Listen to Beethoven: The Basics with Andy Bush on Scala Radio from Sunday 12th April