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Melvyn Bragg

Laura Tunbridge

John Deathridge

Erica Buurman

Simon Tillotson

In Our Time: Beethoven

in-our-time_211217_e_simon-tillotson.jpg

21/12/2017

Beethoven

BBC Radio 4 - In Our Time, Beethoven

Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the life and influence of Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827)

Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the rise of Beethoven, from Bonn to Vienna, where he became one of the great composers, despite his growing deafness.

Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss one of the great composers, who was born into a family of musicians in Bonn. His grandfather was an eminent musician and also called Ludwig van Beethoven. His father, who was not as talented as Beethoven's grandfather, drank heavily and died when Beethoven was still young. It was his move to Vienna that allowed him to flourish, with the support at first of aristocratic patrons, when that city was the hub of European music. He is credited with developing the symphony further than any who preceded him, with elevating instrumental above choral music and with transforming music to the highest form of art. He composed his celebrated works while, from his late twenties onwards, becoming increasingly deaf.

(Before the live broadcast, BBC Radio 3's Breakfast programme played selections from Beethoven, with Essential Classics playing more, immediately after, on the same network.)

With 

Laura Tunbridge
Professor of Music and Henfrey Fellow, St Catherine's College, University of Oxford

John Deathridge
Emeritus King Edward Professor of Music at King's College London

And

Erica Buurman
Senior Lecturer in Music, Canterbury Christchurch University

Producer: Simon Tillotson.

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