Ludwig van Beethoven

Ludwig van Beethoven was one of the most prolific and celebrated composers of the Classical and Romantic eras. We are collecting music, coverage and news about Beethoven from around Classical MPR and our affiliated programs. Have a look (and listen) and enjoy.

Beethoven's Life and Work

Stories about Beethoven, and the music he created.

  • New Classical Tracks - Not Your Usual Elevator Music
    A chance encounter leads pianist Leif Ove Andsnes to undertake a multi-year musical journey.October 2, 2012
  • New Classical Tracks - Buchbinder's Beethoven
    For renowned pianist Rudolf Buchbinder, performing live in front of an audience gives a musical energy which can't be obtained any other way.September 18, 2012
  • New Classical Tracks - Beethoven for All
    This summer Daniel Barenboim has been conducting his first Beethoven symphony cycle in London. He's the first conductor since Henry Wood in 1942 to direct all nine symphonies in a single BBC Proms season. That orchestra has also recorded the nine symphonies, which have just been released as a box set.July 24, 2012
  • Morning Glories - Barenboim's Beethoven
    All this week, our 10 a.m. morning glories will come from a brand-new box set of the complete Beethoven symphonies by Daniel Barenboim and the West-Eastern Divan Orchestra. All of this comes as the Orchestra is performing the Beethoven symphonies at the Proms (available on the Proms stream.July 23, 2012
  • Learning to Listen: The Minuet
    Our Learning to Listen series takes a closer look at classical music, aiming to help you understand what you're hearing on Classical MPR. This lesson is about the minuet.June 29, 2012
  • Vote for Your Favorite Beethoven String Quartets
    The Leipzig String Quartet is asking for you to help them choose which three of Beethoven's String Quartets to perform at the Minnesota Beethoven Festival.June 26, 2012
  • Ripe But Not Sweet - An Essay by Bill Morelock
    There have been countless meditations on the meaning of Shakespeare's "Ripeness is all." It was a Rorschach centuries before Rorschach. Often it suggests a serenity available, though not always secured, late in one's life. Ludwig van Beethoven was defiantly human, a spiny fruit, and stubbornly refused to sweeten as he matured.January 30, 2012
  • John Eliot Gardiner Discusses Beethoven Performance and Other Topics
    In this interview, John Eliot Gardiner discusses performing Beethoven, Beethoven's influences - particularly the French Revolution, and other topics.December 4, 2011
  • George Lepauw interview on Beethoven Premiere
    Pianist George Lepauw was interviewed after a concert in Chicago. He discusses the works, Beethoven's life, and rare string instruments.December 4, 2011
  • Leon Fleisher Discusses Recording Beethoven's Fur Elise
    In this interview, Leon Fleisher discusses recording Beethoven's Fur Elise and some of the challenges that come with recording a work of such popularity.December 4, 2011

Beethoven and You

We're collecting stories about Ludwig's life or music on listeners of Classical MPR. What's your Beethoven story?

The Music

The Beethoven You Probably Know The Beethoven You Probably Know

For whatever reason, some classical pieces seem to have emerged as the common works of which everyone knows and thinks when classical music is mentioned.


Soothing Beethoven Playlist Soothing Beethoven Playlist

Whilst most of Beethoven's famous output seems to be furious and impassioned, he has many works which are intimate and tender. This playlist offers some examples.


Complete Works of Beethoven

Complete Works of Beethoven

Beethoven in the news

Coverage of Beethoven from the Classical Notes blog.




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