Beat Beethoven

“Celebrating the launch of Beat Beethoven - Radio 3's contribution to Sport Relief on March 13th – a 30-minute mix that explores the enigma that is Beethoven, from sublime to silly. Here he is in all his extremes - thrilling and enthralling, grand and great, sublime and just plain silly, and there are a couple of affectionate tributes from others too. The mix starts with the all-time great tune from the slow movement of the Pathetique sonata. There’s the joyous scherzo from the Fourth Symphony, and Moura Lympany’s spooky version of the Moonlight Sonata, as well as 'Let Brainspinning Swains', one of Beethoven's money-spinning folk song settings, which gloriously rhymes 'future fantastic' with 'plastic'. Plus Wendy Carlos and the Electric Light Orchestra pay their quirky tributes to the great man. And don't forget to have your willie-waught* at the ready for the final Auld Lang Syne. *= goodwill drink Producer Roger Short”