Ludwig van Beethoven, a titan of classical music, offers a unique and captivating exploration of folk traditions with his album "Beethoven: Folksongs." Released on August 26, 2022, under the prestigious Deutsche Grammophon label, this collection is a testament to Beethoven's versatility and his deep connection to the cultural heritage of Scotland, Ireland, and Wales.
Spanning a rich 85 minutes, the album is a journey through 40 folk songs, meticulously arranged and performed with Beethoven's signature depth and emotion. The tracks, drawn from his various song collections, including "25 Scottish Songs," "25 Irish Songs," and "26 Welsh Songs," showcase the composer's ability to blend classical elegance with the rustic charm of folk music.
From the lively "Bonney Laddie, Highland Laddie" to the poignant "Highlander's Lament," Beethoven's interpretations bring a new dimension to these traditional melodies. The album also features lesser-known gems like "The Elfin Fairies" and "Sion, the Son of Evan," offering a comprehensive look at Beethoven's engagement with folk music.
This album is not just a collection of songs but a celebration of cultural heritage, presented through the lens of one of history's greatest composers. Beethoven's mastery of the piano and his keen ear for melody shine through in every track, making "Beethoven: Folksongs" a compelling addition to any classical music enthusiast's collection.
25 Scottish Songs, Op. 108: No. 1, Music, Love and WineLudwig van Beethoven, Edith Mathis, Alexander Young, Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, Andreas Roehn, Karl Engel, Georg Donderer
25 Scottish Songs, Op. 108: No. 22, The Highland WatchLudwig van Beethoven, Edith Mathis, Andreas Roehn, Georg Donderer, Karl Engel, RIAS Kammerchor
25 Irish Songs, WoO 152: No. 3, Once More I Hail TheeLudwig van Beethoven, Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, Andreas Roehn, Georg Donderer, Karl Engel
25 Scottish Songs, Op. 108: No. 7, Bonney Laddie, Highland LaddieLudwig van Beethoven, Julia Hamari, Andreas Roehn, Karl Engel, Georg Donderer
25 Scottish Songs, Op. 108: No. 9, Behold, My Love, How Green the GrovesLudwig van Beethoven, Edith Mathis, Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, Andreas Roehn, Georg Donderer, Karl Engel
12 Irish Songs, WoO 154: No. 4, The Pulse of an IrishmanLudwig van Beethoven, Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, Andreas Roehn, Georg Donderer, Karl Engel
26 Welsh Songs, WoO 155: No. 22, ConstancyLudwig van Beethoven, Julia Hamari, Alexander Young, Andreas Roehn, Karl Engel, Georg Donderer
12 Irish Songs, WoO 154: No. 1, The Elfin FairiesLudwig van Beethoven, Edith Mathis, Andreas Roehn, Karl Engel, Georg Donderer, RIAS Kammerchor
22 Scottish Songs, WoO 156: No. 13, Ye Shepherds of This Pleasant ValeLudwig van Beethoven, Edith Mathis, Alexander Young, Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, Andreas Roehn, Karl Engel, Georg Donderer
25 Scottish Songs, Op. 108: No. 2, SunsetLudwig van Beethoven, Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, Andreas Roehn, Georg Donderer, Karl Engel
12 Irish Songs, WoO 154: No. 12, He Promis'd Me at PartingLudwig van Beethoven, Edith Mathis, Alexander Young, Andreas Roehn, Karl Engel, Georg Donderer
25 Scottish Songs, Op. 108: No. 18, Enchantress, Fare WellLudwig van Beethoven, Alexander Young, Andreas Roehn, Karl Engel, Georg Donderer
12 Irish Songs, WoO 154: No. 6, Put Round the Bright WineLudwig van Beethoven, Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, Andreas Roehn, Georg Donderer, Karl Engel
12 Songs of Various Nationalities, WoO 157: No. 7, Robin AdairLudwig van Beethoven, Edith Mathis, Alexander Young, Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, Andreas Roehn, Karl Engel, Georg Donderer
25 Scottish Songs, Op. 108: No. 3, Oh! Sweet Were the HoursLudwig van Beethoven, Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, Andreas Roehn, Karl Engel, Georg Donderer
22 Scottish Songs, WoO 156: No. 9, Duncan GrayLudwig van Beethoven, Edith Mathis, Alexander Young, Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, Andreas Roehn, Karl Engel, Georg Donderer
25 Scottish Songs, Op. 108: No. 20, Faithfu' JohnieLudwig van Beethoven, Edith Mathis, Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, Andreas Roehn, Karl Engel, Georg Donderer
25 Scottish Songs, Op. 108: No. 16, Could This Ill World Have Been Contriv'dLudwig van Beethoven, Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, Andreas Roehn, Georg Donderer, Karl Engel
12 Songs of Various Nationalities, WoO 157: No. 9, Highlander's LamentLudwig van Beethoven, Edith Mathis, Andreas Roehn, Karl Engel, Georg Donderer, RIAS Kammerchor
25 Irish Songs, WoO 152: No. 20, Farewell Bliss and Farewell NancyLudwig van Beethoven, Alexander Young, Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, Andreas Roehn, Karl Engel, Georg Donderer
12 Songs of Various Nationalities, WoO 157: No. 5, The Miller of DeeLudwig van Beethoven, Edith Mathis, Alexander Young, Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, Andreas Roehn, Karl Engel, Georg Donderer
12 Songs of Various Nationalities, WoO 157: No. 4, O sanctissimaLudwig van Beethoven, Andreas Roehn, Georg Donderer, Karl Engel, RIAS Kammerchor
25 Scottish Songs, Op. 108: No. 12, Oh! Had My Fate Been Join'd with ThineLudwig van Beethoven, Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, Andreas Roehn, Georg Donderer, Karl Engel
12 Songs of Various Nationalities, WoO 157: No. 3, Charlie Is My DarlingLudwig van Beethoven, Edith Mathis, Julia Hamari, Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, Andreas Roehn, Karl Engel, Georg Donderer
26 Welsh Songs, WoO 155: No. 20, To the BlackbirdLudwig van Beethoven, Julia Hamari, Andreas Roehn, Karl Engel, Georg Donderer
25 Scottish Songs, Op. 108: No. 13, Come Fill, Fill, My Good FellowLudwig van Beethoven, Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, Andreas Roehn, Karl Engel, Georg Donderer
22 Scottish Songs, WoO 156: No. 8, LochnagarLudwig van Beethoven, Edith Mathis, Alexander Young, Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, Andreas Roehn, Karl Engel, Georg Donderer
26 Welsh Songs, WoO 155: No, 1, Sion, the Son of EvanLudwig van Beethoven, Edith Mathis, Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, Andreas Roehn, Karl Engel, Georg Donderer
25 Irish Songs, WoO 152: No. 1, The Return to UlsterLudwig van Beethoven, Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, Andreas Roehn, Georg Donderer, Karl Engel