Beethoven Documentary on BBC 2 Tonight (28th May)

[Michael]

It's almost certain to turn up on YouTube for all those who can't get the BBC.

It was quite a good documentary but don't expect any great "secrets" about the Fifth Symphony. About twenty years ago, John Eliot Gardiner did a similar programme where he demonstrated links between songs and music of revolutionary France and themes from the symphony.

This time it was mostly a tour around Bonn, Vienna and Paris - beautiful in high definition - and the usual suspects, such as John Suchet - were giving their two cents worth. The unlikely presenter, Ian Hislop was very good indeed and hopefully this documentary will have attracted a lot of viewers who don't normally listen to Beethoven.

[Peter]

Thanks for that Michael - I was out last night so missed the documentary (will watch later) but you're correct, the 5th is on tonight at 7.00pm on BBC4, followed by a short program of Mozart arias. Here's the iplayer link for the documentary for those like me who missed it or couldn't access it.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode...fifth-symphony

[Michael]

Sorry about the short notice but I only found out about it this minute.
"The Secret of Beethoven's Fifth" is on BBC 2 tonight at 9pm (That's TV, not radio, for those who can access it.)

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b07dpqv9

I think it's linked to a performance tomorrow night (Sunday 29th) on BBC 4 (TV) but I can't verify this.

And if that's not enough Beethoven for you, Classic FM are broadcasting (or streaming) the Ninth Symphony live tonight from their website. This can't be accessed outside the U.K.





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