No composer impacted the course of Western music like Ludwig van Beethoven. The events of his life are the stuff of Romantic legend, his works permeate concert halls and he remains a cultural icon outside of classical music, turning up in movies, TV soundtracks, commercials and pop songs. After last year's inaugural festival, Beethoven Awareness Month is back to celebrate Beethoven's work through concert broadcasts, an all-Beethoven stream, multimedia projects, marathons and other features.
Recently in Beethoven Awareness Month 2012
Roundup: A Lot of Love for Ludwig Van
Friday, November 30, 2012
Beethoven Awareness Month has wrapped up its second edition. Listen, watch and read everything from the month in one place. Obeythoven!
25 Essential Beethoven Recordings: The 'Pastoral' Symphony
Friday, November 30, 2012
To wrap our month-long survey of the 25 essential Beethoven recordings, we meet the composer's "folk" side. Read more and tell us about your favorite Beethoven recording here.
25 Essential Beethoven Recordings: The Bagatelles
Thursday, November 29, 2012
The London-based American pianist Stephen Kovacevich included the Bagatelles on his complete Beethoven cycle for EMI in the 1990s and they continue to rank among the standout versions.
A Matter of Style: Which Beethoven Period Do You Want to Hear?
Wednesday, November 28, 2012
Do you want to hear early, middle or late Beethoven? We asked you to cast your vote and we played the winner at noon.
25 Essential Beethoven Recordings: The Cello Sonatas
Wednesday, November 28, 2012
In the early 1990s Argerich teamed up with Mischa Maisky, one of the most soulful cellists around, to record Beethoven's five sonatas for piano and cello.
Newly 'Discovered' Beethoven Pieces Ignite Scholarly Debate
Tuesday, November 27, 2012
Last month, two newly-reconstructed Beethoven works were given world premieres within weeks of one another. But can these fragmentary thoughts bring genuine insights?
25 Essential Beethoven Recordings: Symphony No. 2
Tuesday, November 27, 2012
Perhaps it is the very weight of the Leipzig Gewandhaus's history that has spurred conductor Riccardo Chailly to record a cycle that stands out from the pack.
Sprouts, Complexity, and Transcendence
Monday, November 26, 2012
Beethoven’s influence cannot be measured. This week on Hammered! pianist-composer Michael Brown features his impact on different musical forms, the composer's revolutionary spirit, and transcendent late works.
25 Essential Beethoven Recordings: The Middle Quartets
Monday, November 26, 2012
Beethoven’s three Razumovsky Quartets revolutionized the genre, so much so, that neither the works’ first performers nor audiences knew quite what to make of them.
Beethoven's Vienna
Monday, November 26, 2012
Host Bill McGlaughlin spends this week exploring the music of Vienna, Beethoven’s adopted hometown.
Marathon Sundays: Beethoven's Complete Concertos
Sunday, November 25, 2012
The fourth and final installment of our Sunday Beethoven marathon series features the composer's seven concertos. Grab a free download from the Piano Concerto No. 1 in advance.
25 Essential Beethoven Recordings: The Songs
Saturday, November 24, 2012
Beethoven is believed to have written 158 songs, yet they remain a comparatively neglected aspect of the work of the world’s most celebrated composer.
25 Essential Beethoven Recordings: Late Piano Sonatas
Friday, November 23, 2012
Mitsuko Uchida came to Beethoven's sonatas much later in her career, and got started with the last three sonatas.
A Beethoven Journey with Leif Ove Andsnes
Tuesday, November 20, 2012
On Tuesday, Nov. 20 at 8 pm, catch a one-hour program featuring highlights from pianist Leif Ove Andsnes's solo appearance in The Greene Space.
Beethoven and the Piano
Monday, November 19, 2012
Two hundred years after the composition of Beethoven's five piano concertos, they're still the giants in the repertoire. Join host Bill McGlaughlin for a concerto a day, plus some of his more intimate works for the instrument.
The Ludwig van Beethoven Complex
Monday, November 19, 2012
Pianist Lisa Moore hears Beethoven’s legacy riding through fast and clear in the work of modern masters from around Europe, Australia and North America. Hear her impressions weekdays at 10 am on Q2 Music's Hammered!.
Faking for the Cameras: Christopher Walken Plays Cellist in 'A Late Quartet'
Sunday, November 18, 2012
Learning an instrument isn't easy, but getting to fake one for a Hollywood film is no picnic either. Christopher Walken talks about his role as a cellist in "A Late Quartet."
Beethoven String Quartet Marathon: The Complete Video Archive
Sunday, November 18, 2012
WQXR's Beethoven string quartet marathon took place in The Greene Space on Sunday, Nov. 18. We've posted all 16 performances from the marathon.
Webcast: Beethoven String Quartet Marathon
Sunday, November 18, 2012
Today at 12 pm, WQXR hosts a journey through Beethoven's string quartets in The Greene Space. As a preview, get a free download of Beethoven's Grosse Fugue.
25 Essential Beethoven Recordings: The Late Quartets
Saturday, November 17, 2012
Beethoven was a constant companion for this quartet over its 44-year ride, starting in the 1960s when it released a complete cycle for RCA.


Featured Comments
I type this while listening to Artur Schnabel play the second movement of the "Emperor" -- what sublime beauty. Listeners ...
Ever more insightful and relevant! Thank you for serving Beethoven again so well.
Bravo, WQXR. I had a wonderful month of Beethoven, I loved the comments (especially Bill McLaughlin's) and I cancelled Sunday ...
What a spectacular day (for those of us who stayed for the entire marathon), truly remarkable! Obey-thoven!!!