Beethoven's Mixtape

Beethoven's Mix Tape reimagines the great composer through the vibrant circle of musicians who shaped his world. In this 70-minute programme, Consone Quartet weaves together music by mentors, rivals, friends and followers – Hummel, Cherubini, Haydn, Zmeskall, Onslow, Fanny Mendelssohn and Czerny – alongside Beethoven's own electrifying Serioso Quartet.

Interwoven with the music itself, musicologist Katy Hamilton brings the programme to life with engaging narration, guiding audiences through this rich network of connections, influences and rivalries.

This 'mixtape' reveals a fuller musical landscape, challenging the myth of Beethoven as a lone genius. Instead, we encounter a dynamic community of voices – some celebrated, many unjustly overlooked – whose music sheds fresh light on the composer we thought we knew.

Programme includes excerpts from:
Hummel String Quartet in C major, Op. 30 No. 1 – II Menuetto. Allegro assai
Cherubini String Quartet No. 6 in A minor – III Scherzo: Allegro
Haydn String Quartet in G major, Op. 77 No. 1 – IV Presto
Zmeskall String Quartet No. 15 in G minor – III Allegretto Menuetto
Beethoven String Quartet in F minor, Op. 95 'Serioso' – II Allegretto ma non troppo
Onslow String Quartet in C minor, Op. 8 No. 3 – I Largo – Allegro agitato
Fanny Mendelssohn String Quartet in E flat major – II Allegretto
Czerny String Quartet in A minor – I Allegro espressivo ma animato

Performers:
Katy Hamilton narrator
Consone Quartet