Episode 44 – Musicians Come Knocking

In this episode, two of Beethoven’s musical contemporaries come knocking on his door. The first, Rossini, vividly describes meeting the other composer afterwards, and Beethoven does not come across well. He does confess to enjoying one of Rossini’s works though, and John will reveal which one. The second is Schubert. John describes Franz’s disappointment after finally plucking up the courage to approach the great man’s door. This is during a period where Beethoven is in continuous ill health - and it showed, as illustrated by the story John tells of Beethoven finding himself behind bars, having been mistaken for a tramp. He is still able to compose astonishing music though, and John plays two more real rarities, including an overture Beethoven composed to mark the opening of a new theatre, and a poem that he set to music; a Song of Sacrifice. All the Beethoven pieces featured in this podcast are taken from the 90-disc Naxos box set, the Complete Beethoven Edition. You can buy yours by heading to Presto Classical and Europadisc.