Complete Beethoven

Claudio Otelli (bass-baritone), Ruxandra Donose (mezzo-soprano), Hasmik Papian (soprano), Manfred Fink (tenor), Stefan Vladar (piano), Claire Rutter (soprano), Leon McCawley (piano), Julian Davies (tenor), Marta Fontanals-Simmons (mezzo-soprano), Matilde Wallevik (mezzo-soprano), Peter Hoare (tenor), Stephen Gadd (baritone), Jenö Jandó (piano), Dong-Suk Kang (violin), Maria Kliegel (cello), Takako Nishizaki (violin) & Nicolaus Esterhazy Sinfonia, Nicolaus Esterhazy Chorus, Cappella Istropolitana, City of London Choir, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Slovak Philharmonic Orchestra, Béla Drahos, Barry Wordsworth, Hilary Davan Wetton, Stephen Gunzenhauser, Kenneth Jean

Triumphing over deafness and turbulent political times, Ludwig van Beethoven singlehandedly changed the course of music history, laying down the foundations for the Romantic era. His nine symphonies grew out of the forms established in the time of Mozart and Haydn, but show a remarkable evolution which embraces heroic grandeur in the Third , patriotism and innovation in the Fifth , countryside imagery and narrative in the Sixth , and choral inspiration in the Ninth , the ‘Ode to Joy’ from which has become the Anthem for Europe.

Even Beethoven couldn’t entirely escape the influence of Mozart, and this lineage can be traced in the melodic grace to be found in the symphonies as well as the concertos. Imposing in their stature, the five Piano Concertos are filled with lively inventiveness as well as some of the most beautiful music ever to emerge from this genre. Beethoven’s single work in the popular symphonie concertante form is the ‘Triple’ Concerto, but it is the distinctive nobility of the Violin Concerto which has seen it gain an unassailable position as one of the greatest works in the repertoire.

Beethoven considered music ‘a higher revelation than all wisdom and philosophy’, with greatness of conception and painstaking craftsmanship his hallmarks. The Overtures are no exception in this, reflecting the drama and excitement of the theatre and including the opening of his only opera Fidelio.

Beethoven:
 Consecration of the House Overture, Op. 124
 Coriolan Overture, Op. 62
 Egmont Overture, Op. 84
 Fantasia for Piano, Chorus and Orchestra in C minor, Op. 80
 Fidelio Overture Op. 72c
 König Stephan Overture, Op. 117
 Leonore Overture No. 1, Op. 138
 Leonore Overture No. 2, Op. 72a
 Leonore Overture No. 3, Op. 72b
 Leonore Prohaska WoO 96 
 Musik zu einem Ritterballett, WoO 1
 Piano Concerto in D major, arranged by the composer after the Violin Concerto, Op. 61a

 Piano Concertos Nos. 1-5:
  No. 1 in C major, Op. 15
  No. 2 in B flat major, Op. 19
  No. 3 in C minor, Op. 37
  No. 4 in G major, Op. 58
  No. 5 in E flat major, Op. 73 'Emperor'

Romance No. 1 for Violin and Orchestra in G major, Op. 40
Romance No. 2 for Violin and Orchestra in F major, Op. 50

Rondo for Piano & Orchestra in B flat major, WoO 6

Symphonies Nos. 1-9:
 No. 1 in C major, Op. 21
 No. 2 in D major, Op. 36
 No. 3 in E flat major, Op. 55 'Eroica'
 No. 4 in B flat major, Op. 60
 No. 5 in C minor, Op. 67
 No. 6 in F major, Op. 68 'Pastoral'
 No. 7 in A major, Op. 92
 No. 8 in F major, Op. 93
 No. 9 in D minor, Op. 125 'Choral'

The Creatures of Prometheus Overture, Op. 43
The Ruins of Athens Overture, Op. 113
Triple Concerto for Piano, Violin, and Cello in C major, Op. 56
Violin Concerto in D major, Op. 61
Zur Namensfeier overture, Op. 115