Music History with MJ: Beethoven

“Beethoven as You’ve Never Heard Him Before” (“Beethoven Recycled”) Beethoven composed music in many genres, which we all know through performances and recordings true to his original manuscripts. But there are many “alternate versions”—by him and others—that are little known, such as symphonies reduced to 2- and 4-hand piano arrangements, even chamber and brass ensembles; piano and clarinet versions of the violin concerto; string quartets arranged for full string orchestras; folk song arrangements; items for unusual instruments; a “Battle Symphony” with cannons and musket-fire . . .