Episode 43 – Health Battles

John explores how Beethoven’s deteriorating health did not get in the way of his musical creativity. After winning custody of his nephew in a long, draining court battle, the great composer becomes seriously ill and confined to bed just as he has a teenager to raise. During this period of ill health, Beethoven composed what turned out to be his final set of piano sonatas, and finished one of his grandest works, the Missa Solemnis. John also discovers a little song proving that Beethoven had retained his sense of humour; it translates as “Just because your name is Hope doesn’t mean you’re always hopeful”. And as the composer is told that the probable subject of his famous “Immortal beloved” letter has died, John plays a second - more intense - setting of a poem that Beethoven had originally set to music for her. 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.