This year is the 250th anniversary of the birth of, in many people’s minds, the greatest composer who ever lived. Ludwig van Beethoven’s music ranged from sublimely intimate piano music to the teutonic bombast of the most famous opening to any piece of music – the universally recognisable da-da-da-dum of his fifth symphony. Remarkably, most of this was created as the composer’s hearing faded and failed on him completely.
In this special anniversary podcast, Rob Weinberg talks to arguably Beethoven’s greatest fan, the much-loved British broadcaster John Suchet, who has written no fewer than seven books about Beethoven. He’s now presenting a 52-episode series on the man on Classic FM radio.
So what is it about Beethoven’s music that has inspired people for more than two centuries? John Suchet offers Ponder the man revealed.
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