Beethoven: The Basics with Andy Bush
By Bauer Media
Andy Bush loves rock and indie music. He’s been ‘classical curious’ for a while and is fascinated by Ludwig van Beethoven, but doesn’t know where to start.
Until now.
Andy takes the plunge into Ludwig’s life and music in the great composer’s 250th year, with a bit of help from world-class musicians including violinist Nicola Benedetti, conductors Sir Mark Elder, Jonathon Heyward, Carlo Rizzi and Karin Hendrickson, cellist Matthew Barley, pianist Stephen Hough and clarinettist Julian Bliss.
Discover more about Beethoven in these bitesize podcasts, based on a 4-part series broadcast on Scala Radio in Spring 2020, produced by Jenny Nelson for Bauer Media.
Until now.
Andy takes the plunge into Ludwig’s life and music in the great composer’s 250th year, with a bit of help from world-class musicians including violinist Nicola Benedetti, conductors Sir Mark Elder, Jonathon Heyward, Carlo Rizzi and Karin Hendrickson, cellist Matthew Barley, pianist Stephen Hough and clarinettist Julian Bliss.
Discover more about Beethoven in these bitesize podcasts, based on a 4-part series broadcast on Scala Radio in Spring 2020, produced by Jenny Nelson for Bauer Media.
Latest episode
-
Episode 10: Beethoven's Legacy
In the final episode of the series, Andy takes a look at some of Beethoven’s later works and asks his guests to explain which 1 piece of his music best describes the great composer’s legacy and influence. References to tour merch, Wimpy and privet... -
Episode 9: Beethoven's Health
In the penultimate episode, Andy Bush turns to Beethoven’s ill health and explores how it affected his music. How he was able to continue composing as he became increasingly deaf? Andy gains insight from Maya Iwabuchi, leader of the Royal Scottish... -
Episode 8: Beethoven the Performer
Andy Bush investigates Beethoven’s skills on stage, as a pianist, improviser and conductor, and finds useful parallels with Donkey Kong, dry ice and Dane Bowers. The guests in this episode are conductors Karin Hendrickson, Jonathon Heyward and Sir Ma… -
Episode 7: Infamous Premieres
Andy Bush takes a look at the premieres of Beethoven's works that have gone down in history and manages to include references to in-flight safety videos, good soup and premium rate phone lines. The guests in this episode are conductors Sir Mark Elder… -
Episode 6: Beethoven's Patrons
Andy Bush finds out who kept a roof over Ludwig’s head by commissioning him to write music. Turns out there were quite a few princes, but only one of them was called a donkey… The guests in this episode are conductor Carlo Rizzi, leader of the Royal.… -
Episode 5: Beethoven's Friends and Family
Andy Bush takes a look at Ludwig's friends, frenemies and the significant members of his family. References to X-men, index fingers and Bond villains also feature. The guests in this episode are conductor Karin Hendrickson, composer and Scala Radio..… -
Episode 4: Beethoven's Love Life
Andy Bush finds out about the objects of Beethoven's affections - and it turns out there were quite a few. Who was the Immortal Beloved? Who's the Elise in 'Fur Elise'? And where do llamas and bowls of urine come into all of this? The guests in this.… -
Episode 3: Beethoven's Early Works
Andy Bush gets to grips with Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No.0, musical terminology such as ‘WoO’ and his first completed symphony, somehow managing to find parallels with King’s Cross station, butter adverts and Beverly Hills 90210. The guests in this… -
Episode 2: Beethoven's Musical Influences
In this episode, Andy Bush takes a look at the composers who proved to be the biggest influences on a young Ludwig, namely Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Franz Joseph Haydn. Celebrity chefs, Mr Miyagi and Louis Theroux also get a mention as well… The... -
Episode 1: Meet The Parents
We’ll begin at the beginning - in Bonn, to be precise, where Beethoven was born in 1770. Andy finds out about the young Ludwig’s home life, including a supportive mother and a less than supportive father. How did Beethoven’s upbringing shape his...
