Beethoven Sonata Cycle: Barry Douglas

The pianist Barry Douglas takes his turn in LSO St Luke's Beethoven sonata cycle, playing Beethoven's Piano Sonata No 25 in G, Op 79; and Piano Sonata No 29 in B flat, Op 106 ('Hammerklavier'). (Note: the Op 79 was one of three works Beethoven wrote as the result of a commission from publisher, pianist and composer Muzio Clementi, whom he greatly admired and whose influence perceptibly hangs over some of the earlier sonatas. Beethoven's 'Hammerklavier' sonata was written for Beethoven's patron, Archduke Rudolph of Austria, the opening chords placed to suggest the words, 'Vivat, vivat Rudolphus!'. A BBC Radio 3 Lunchtime Concert.)