Beethoven

RNZ Concert listeners tell us what's so special about Beethoven 250 years after his birth. 

Performed by Michael Houstoun at his recital celebrating the the 250th birthday of Beethoven, Auckland Concert Chamber, 16 December 2020. Audio

Performed by Michael Houstoun at his recital celebrating the the 250th birthday of Beethoven, Auckland Concert Chamber, 16 December 2020. Audio

Performed by Michael Houstoun at his recital celebrating the the 250th birthday of Beethoven, Auckland Concert Chamber, 16 December 2020. Audio

Performed by Michael Houstoun at his recital celebrating the the 250th birthday of Beethoven, Auckland Concert Chamber, 16 December 2020. Audio

Cynthia Morahan is the host of Daybreak, RNZ Concert's weekday breakfast programme. She's been reading about Beethoven in the lead up to his 250th anniversary this week. Audio

2020 has been one of the most challenging years in our lifetimes. Here are some examples of triumphing over adversity from Ludwig van Beethoven, who was born 250 years ago this week.  Audio

Performed by Eliza Boom (sop), Natasha Wilson (sop), Manase Latu (ten), Benson Wilson (bar), Somi Kim (piano). Recorded at the Auckland Opera Studio's Gala Concert in the Auckland Concert Chamber, 2… Audio

New Zealand Symphony Orchestra conducted by Hamish McKeich Recorded 24 October 2020, Michael Fowler Centre, Wellington by RNZ Concert Audio

New Zealand Symphony Orchestra conducted by Miguel Harth-Bedoya. Audio

NZTrio performs Beethoven's Piano Trio No 3 in C minor. Video, Audio

Beethoven's "Sonata Number 30 in E Major" weaves its way through a novella that's won a Trans-Tasman literary award for its writer, Professor Bryan Walpert from Massey University. Bryan, who's also a… Audio

The New Zealand Symphony Orchestra is conducted by Miguel Harth-Bedoya in Wellington. Video

Performed by Amalia Hall and Stephen De Pledge. Audio

Performed by NZTrio at their 'Origins' concert, Auckland Concert Chamber, 5 July 2020 Audio

Beethoven’s famous opening 'da-da-da-dah' rhythmic motif has found its way into pop songs, Morse code and even Doctor Who. By using this across all four movements, Beethoven revolutionised symphonic… Video, Audio

Watch and listen to the NZSO playing Beethoven's 5th Symphony. Video

Beethoven's Pastoral was first performed in a mammoth four-hour long concert in 1808. We take a look at this event, which has been described as one of the most significant in the history of classical… Video

Fifty years ago this week, British-born musician Roy Phillips and his band The Peddlers were on top of the New Zealand music charts with their smash hit, 'Girlie.'  Video, Audio

We hear another wonderful piece of classical music to soothe our soul picked by pianist and Nights classical music curator, Rachel Church. Audio