Beethoven: Die Ruinen von Athen, Op. 113 & Other Works

Featuring

Valda Wilson
Simon Bailey
Sidonie von Krosigk
Marcus Bosch
Cappella Aquileia
Czech Philharmonic Choir Brno

Ludwig van Beethoven

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Composition History

Beethoven worked on his 'Opferlied' for most of his composing life, with initial sketches from 1794/95 and the final version completed two years before his death in 1825.

Cultural Impact

Beethoven's music and persona influenced literary works, with Leo Tolstoy's 'Kreutzer Sonata' inspired by his Violin Sonata No. 9 and Thomas Mann dedicating a chapter to Piano Sonata Op. 111 in 'Doctor Faustus'.

Composer Biography

Beethoven was close friends with Viennese author and playwright Franz Grillparzer, who wrote the eulogy for Beethoven's funeral.

Composition History

Beethoven's 'Die Ruinen von Athen' was incidental music composed for the 1812 opening of the Pest Theatre, based on a play by August von Kotzebue.

Performer Biography

The Czech Philharmonic Choir of Brno, founded in 1990, is one of Europe's most sought-after professional ensembles, having won ECHO Klassik awards for 'Best Vocal Ensemble' and 'Recording of the Year'.

Composer's Artistic Vision

The final words of 'Opferlied', 'Das Schöne zu dem Guten' (Both beauty and goodness), seem to reflect Beethoven's belief in the moral purpose of music.

Composer Biography

Beethoven was completely deaf when his choral cantata Op. 112, 'Meeresstille und glückliche Fahrt', premiered in 1815, only hearing the music in his imagination.