In the second half of a special two part conversation, conductor Devin Patrick Hughes speaks with broadcaster and author John Suchet in Part 2 of a special two-part One Symphony series on Beethoven, based on Suchet’s new book In Search of Beethoven: A Personal Journey.

This episode explores Beethoven’s life in Vienna — his patrons, performance venues, and independence as a composer. We also dive into his personal struggles, including his court battle for custody of his nephew Karl and his gradual onset of deafness, described as the “worst fate for a musician.”

Through it all, Beethoven’s music speaks of resilience and triumph. Suchet reminds us: “If I can overcome what I had, the worst fate that can befall a musician, you too can overcome.”

Featured Music Includes:

• Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Piano Concerto No 22 in E-flat Major, K. 482 I. Allegro. Performed by the English Chamber Orchestra featuring Murray Perahia on piano.


• Ludwig van Beethoven composed the rest of the featured music in this episode.


• Cello Sonata No 3 in A, Op. 69 II. Scherzo (Allego Molto). Performed by Mstislav Rostropovich on cello and Sviatoslav Richter on piano.


• Symphony No 3 Eroica in E-flat Major, Op. 55. I. Allegro con brio. Performed live by the Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra conducted by Sergiu Celibidache. 


• Muzik zu einem Ritterballet (Music for a ballet of Knights), WoO 3. Jagdlied (Hunting Song), 6. Trinklied (Drinking Song), 4. Romanze (Romance). Performed by the Staatskapelle Berlin, conducted by Günther Herbig. 


• Symphony No 5. I. Allegro con brio. Performed by the Weiner Philharmoniker conducted by Carlos Kleiber. 


• Sonata No. 29 in B-flat Major, Op. 106 Hammerklavier. IV. Largo allegro resoluto. Performed live by Tatiana Nikolayeva. 


• Symphony No. 6 in F Major, Op. 68 "Pastoral": I. Erwachen heiterer Empfindungen bei der Ankunft auf dem Lande. Allegro ma non troppo Performed by the Berliner Philharmoniker conducted by Herbert von Karajan. 


• Symphony No. 6 in F Major, Op. 68 "Pastoral": II. Szene am Bach. Andante molto mosso. Performed by the Berliner Philharmoniker conducted by Herbert von Karajan.


• Symphony No. 6 in F Major, Op. 68 "Pastoral": III. Lustiges Zusammensein der Landleute. Allegro. Performed by the Berliner Philharmoniker conducted by Herbert von Karajan.


• Symphony No. 6 in F Major, Op. 68 "Pastoral": IV. Gewitter, Sturm. Allegro. Performed by the Berliner Philharmoniker conducted by Herbert von Karajan.


• Symphony No. 6 in F Major, Op. 68 "Pastoral": V. Hirtengesang. Frohe und dankbare Gefühle nach dem Sturm. Allegretto. Performed by the Berliner Philharmoniker conducted by Herbert von Karajan.


• Piano Sonata No. 26 in E-flat Major Op. 81a “Les Adiuex” I. Das Lebewohl, Adagio-Allegro. Performed by Tatiana Nikolayeva. 


• Piano Sonata No. 14 in C-sharp minor, Op. 27 No. 2 “Moonlight:” III. Presto agitato. Performed by Emil Gilels. 


• Piano Sonata No. 17 in D minor, Op. 31 No 2. “Tempest”: III. Allegretto. Performed by Alfred Brendel. 


• Piano Sonata No. 28 in A Major, Op. 101. I. Etwas lebhaft, und mit der innigsten Empfindung. Performed by Emil Gilels.