In this first half of a special two-part conversation, Devin Patrick Hughes speaks with broadcaster and author John Suchet about Beethoven’s beginnings in Bonn, his precocious childhood on the Rhine, his mentors and patrons, and the myths surrounding his father and early works. Together, they explore Beethoven’s revolutionary ideas, his first “unplayable” compositions, and the legendary (and mysterious) meeting with Mozart. Along the way, Suchet shares insights from his new book, In Search of Beethoven: A Personal Journey, and we hear the music that shaped the young Beethoven and echoed throughout his career.

Featured Music All works composed by Ludwig van Beethoven, unless noted.

• Große Fuge, Op. 133 — Artemis Quartet (live, Paris 2001)

• Musik zu einem Ritterballet, WoO 1: No. 8 Coda — Günther Herbig & Staatskapelle Berlin (1971)

• Quartet WoO 36 No. 3 in C Major: I. Allegro Vivace — Christoph Eschenbach, Norbert Brainin, Peter Schidlof, Martin Lovett

• Sonatina in E-flat Major WoO 47, Kurfürstensonate No. 1 — Jörg Demus

• Cantata on the Death of Emperor Joseph II, WoO 87 — Reetta Haavisto, Juha Kotilainen, Leif Segerstam, Turku Philharmonic, Chorus Cathedralis Aboensis

• Violin Concerto in D Major, Op. 77: II. Adagio — Johannes Brahms, Itzhak Perlman, Chicago Symphony, Carlo Maria Giulini

• “Aria de Florestan: Gott!” from Fidelio — Jonas Kaufmann, Nikolaus Harnoncourt

• 12 Variations on “Se vuol ballare”, WoO 40 — Yehudi Menuhin & Wilhelm Kempff

For more information on John Suchet, see https://www.johnsuchet.co.uk. You can find his most recent book In Search of Beethoven, A Personal Journey where ever books are sold.

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