Ludwig van Beethoven was born 250 years ago this week, and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra has performed his works since the very beginning of its history. To celebrate, we will feature Van Cliburn as soloist in the Fourth Piano Concerto under Fritz Reiner, and Sir Georg Solti leading the Leonore Overture No. 3, the Prisoners’ Chorus (“O welche Lust”) from Fidelio, and the Eroica Symphony.
Ludwig van Beethoven at 250
The Life Mask of Ludwig Beethoven
(photo: Todd Rosenberg)
Playlist
Leonore Overture No. 3, Op. 72b, by Ludwig van Beethoven
Chicago Symphony Orchestra; Sir Georg Solti, conductor
Piano Concerto No. 4 in G Major Op. 58, by Ludwig van Beethoven
Chicago Symphony Orchestra; Fritz Reiner, conductor; Van Cliburn, piano
“O welche Lust” from Fidelio, Op. 72, by Ludwig van Beethoven
Chicago Symphony Orchestra; Sir Georg Solti, conductor; Robert Johnson, tenor; Philip Kraus, baritone; Men of the Chicago Symphony Chorus; Margaret Hillis, director
Symphony No. 3 in E-flat major, Op. 55 (Eroica), by Ludwig van Beethoven
Chicago Symphony Orchestra; Sir Georg Solti, conductor