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.

In this first half of a special two-part conversation, Devin Patrick Hughes speaks with broadcaster and author John Suchet about Beethoven’s beginnings in Bonn, his precocious childhood on the Rhine, his mentors and patrons, and the myths surrounding his father and early works. Together, they explore Beethoven’s revolutionary ideas, his first “unplayable” compositions, and the legendary (and mysterious) meeting with Mozart. Along the way, Suchet shares insights from his new book, In Search of Beethoven: A Personal Journey, and we hear the music that shaped the young Beethoven and echoed throughout his career.

Featured Music All works composed by Ludwig van Beethoven, unless noted.

• Große Fuge, Op. 133 — Artemis Quartet (live, Paris 2001)

• Musik zu einem Ritterballet, WoO 1: No. 8 Coda — Günther Herbig & Staatskapelle Berlin (1971)

• Quartet WoO 36 No. 3 in C Major: I. Allegro Vivace — Christoph Eschenbach, Norbert Brainin, Peter Schidlof, Martin Lovett

• Sonatina in E-flat Major WoO 47, Kurfürstensonate No. 1 — Jörg Demus

• Cantata on the Death of Emperor Joseph II, WoO 87 — Reetta Haavisto, Juha Kotilainen, Leif Segerstam, Turku Philharmonic, Chorus Cathedralis Aboensis

• Violin Concerto in D Major, Op. 77: II. Adagio — Johannes Brahms, Itzhak Perlman, Chicago Symphony, Carlo Maria Giulini

• “Aria de Florestan: Gott!” from Fidelio — Jonas Kaufmann, Nikolaus Harnoncourt

• 12 Variations on “Se vuol ballare”, WoO 40 — Yehudi Menuhin & Wilhelm Kempff

For more information on John Suchet, see https://www.johnsuchet.co.uk. You can find his most recent book In Search of Beethoven, A Personal Journey where ever books are sold.

You can always find more info at OneSymphony.podbean.com. If you appreciate what we do you can Support the show and get exclusive content at patreon.com/onesymphonywithdevinpatrickhughes. Feel free to rate, review, or share the podcast! Until next time, thank you for being part of the music.

On this episode of One Symphony with Devin Patrick Hughes, composer Nan Avant takes us on a journey through her orchestral world — where nature, heritage, and imagination meet in music. Known for works inspired by the sea, the winds of Lahaina, and the birth of distant nebulas, Nan Avant blends classical tradition, cinematic color, and unexpected sounds — from steel road plates to wind machines — to tell her stories.

From her Peruvian roots and classical piano training to collaborations with the London Symphony Orchestra and Northwest Sinfonia, Avant reveals how she turns personal memories and natural landscapes into vivid symphonic experiences. She also shares insights into orchestration, working directly with musicians, and weaving cultural influences into her scores.

Music in this episode:

• Aloha ‘Oe – Queen Lili’uokalani, jazz bossa nova arrangement by Nan Avant

• End Credit Music from Remember Me (2009)

• Bijoux (The Nebulae) – Northwest Sinfonia Orchestra, David Sabee conducting

• Soundness of the Sea for Violin and Piano

• Wind Machine and Bass Drum demonstration

• Lahaina – Rhapsody for Violin and Orchestra – London Symphony Orchestra, featured on Symphonic Stradivarius

• Tributum – Northwest Sinfonia Orchestra, David Sabee conducting

Whether you’re drawn to the craft of composition, curious about the sounds that shape an orchestra, or simply love hearing music’s human stories, this conversation with Nan Avant offers a rare glimpse into the mind and heart of a modern composer.