Beethoven and Contemporaries

Beethoven’s wild temperament led to several tumultuous relationships, one of these with the prodigiously talented composer, pianist and improviser, JN Hummel. After a close friendship, musical and personal differences led to a falling out before a remarkable reconciliation at Beethoven’s deathbed. This resonates with the story of two contemporary musical legends, the Hungarian György Kurtág and his compatriot György Ligeti. After travelling to Budapest in 1945, Ligeti emigrated to Vienna in 1956. The two would reunite many years later having followed hugely contrasting musical paths.