A Beethoven Century: 1920–1945
For the Beethoven anniversary, Arno Lücker curates four playlists covering 100 years of Beethoven on record. We feature both popular works and unknown gems, showcasing a broad array of artists to chart developments in performance style, repertoire trends and recording technology. Explore how Beethoven has been perceived and his works brought to musical life over the course of the last century. [Due to geo-blocking restrictions, some tracks might be unavailable in certain territories.]
- Beethoven • Seven Bagatelles for Piano op. 33 • 5. Allegro, ma non troppoSeven Bagatelles for Piano op. 33
5. Allegro, ma non troppoWilhelm Kempff (Piano)1920 - Beethoven • Symphony No. 1 in C major op. 21 • IV. Finale. Adagio – Allegro molto e vivaceSymphony No. 1 in C major op. 21
IV. Finale. Adagio – Allegro molto e vivaceArturo Toscanini, Orchestra del Teatro alla Scala di Milano℗ 1921 - Beethoven • Six Écossaises for Piano in E flat major WoO 83 (Arr. F. Busoni BV B 47) • Leicht und lebhaftSix Écossaises for Piano in E flat major WoO 83 (Arr. F. Busoni BV B 47)
Leicht und lebhaftFerruccio Busoni (Piano)1922 - Beethoven • Variations in C minor on an Original Theme for Piano WoO 80 • Theme. Allegretto – Var. I-XXXIIVariations in C minor on an Original Theme for Piano WoO 80
Theme. Allegretto – Var. I-XXXIISergei Rachmaninoff (Piano)℗ 1925 - Beethoven • Concerto for Violin and Orchestra in D major op. 61 • III. RondoConcerto for Violin and Orchestra in D major op. 61
III. RondoFritz Kreisler (Violin), Leo Blech
Staatskapelle Berlin1926 - Beethoven • Sonata for Piano No. 12 in A flat major op. 26 • I. Andante con variazioniSonata for Piano No. 12 in A flat major op. 26
I. Andante con variazioniFrederic Lamond (Piano)March 1928 - Beethoven • Große Fuge for String Quartet in B flat major op. 133 • Overtura. Allegro – FugaGroße Fuge for String Quartet in B flat major op. 133
Overtura. Allegro – FugaLéner String Quartet
Jenö Léner (Violin), Jószef Smilovits (Violin), Sándor Róth (Viola), Imre Hartmann (Violoncello)1930 - Beethoven • Sonata for Violin and Piano No. 3 in E flat major op. 12/3 • II. Adagio con molta espressioneSonata for Violin and Piano No. 3 in E flat major op. 12/3
II. Adagio con molta espressioneAdolf Busch (Violin), Rudolf Serkin (Piano)1931, London, Abbey Road Studios - Beethoven • Egmont, Incidental Music op. 84: Overture • Sostenuto, ma non troppo – AllegroEgmont, Incidental Music op. 84: Overture
Sostenuto, ma non troppo – AllegroKarl Böhm, Sächsische Staatskapelle DresdenApril 1935, Dresden, Semperoper - Beethoven • Serenade for Flute, Violin and Viola in D major op. 25 • IV. Andante con variazioniSerenade for Flute, Violin and Viola in D major op. 25
IV. Andante con variazioniKlingler-Quartett
Gustav Scheck (Flute), Karl Klingler (Violin), Fridolin Klingler (Viola)1936 - Beethoven • Adelaide op. 46 • Einsam wandelt dein Freund im FrühlingsgartenAdelaide op. 46
Einsam wandelt dein Freund im FrühlingsgartenJussi Björling (Tenor), Harry Ebert (Piano)1939 - Beethoven • Piano Trio in B flat major op. 97 “Archduke” • III. Andante cantabilePiano Trio in B flat major op. 97
III. Andante cantabileArthur Rubinstein (Piano), Jascha Heifetz (Violin), Emanuel Feuermann (Violoncello)℗ 1941 - Beethoven • Sonata for Horn and Piano in F major op. 17 • I. Allegro moderatoSonata for Horn and Piano in F major op. 17
I. Allegro moderatoDennis Brain (Horn), Denis Matthews (Piano)1944, London, Abbey Road Studio 3 - Beethoven • Symphony No. 2 in D major op. 36 • II. LarghettoSymphony No. 2 in D major op. 36
II. LarghettoFritz Reiner, Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra1945, Pittsburgh