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BBC Radio 4 is a radio channel that started transmitting on the 30th September 1967. It replaced BBC Home Service.

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Robert Winston's Musical Analysis

Documentaries

Factual: Arts, Culture & the Media

Factual: Life Stories

Factual: Health & Wellbeing

Music: Classical

Exploring the relationship between the music and the medical conditions of composers

Series in which Professor Robert Winston explores the relationship between the music and the medical conditions of composers who suffered mental and physical illness

Robert Winston's Musical Analysis: Series 2

Robert Winston's Musical Analysis: Series 2: Episode 2: Ludwig van Beethoven

Ludwig van Beethoven

Episode 2

Episode 2: Ludwig van Beethoven

Series 2

BBC Radio 4 - Robert Winston's Musical Analysis, Series 2, Ludwig van Beethoven

How Beethoven's music was affected by a lifetime of serious illness.

Prof Winston examines how deafness and a catalogue of chronic illnesses became key to the transcendent spirit of Beethoven's music.

Professor Robert Winston continues his exploration into the relationship between the music and the medical conditions of composers who suffered mental and physical illness. 

Beethoven famously lost his hearing while still a young man, becoming profoundly deaf by the time he composed his late masterpieces. However, he was also plagued by a catalogue of other chronic illnesses. Stomach problems, asthma and pancreatitis made his life a misery. Prof. Winston investigates with John Suchet, Stephen Johnson and Dr Francois Mai how these daily torments may have been key to the transcendent spirit of Beethoven's music.

Producer: Chris Taylor.

Intelligent speech, the most insightful journalism, the wittiest comedy, the most fascinating features and the most compelling drama and readings anywhere in UK radio.

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Robert Winston's Musical Analysis

Series 2

Episode 2: Ludwig van Beethoven

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