Leisure review: John knows his Beethoven

When it comes to Beethoven, the man and his music, Classic FM presenter and television newscaster John Suchet’s encyclopaedic knowledge is unbeatable.

And his sheer enthusiasm for his subject ensured that members and guests of Radlett Music Club had a thoroughly interesting evening last Wednesday as he talked about the man behind the music.

His revelations about the difficulties and even hardships the composer faced held the audience at the Radlett Centre completely enthralled and later, as he answered questions from the audience, the full depth of his knowledge became even more apparent.

The music of the composer was also demonstrated in the programme with an appearance by former Purcell School student, violinist Joo Yeon Sir who has just been named winner of the Art Club Karl Jenkins Classical Music Award.

Together with pianist Irina Andrievsky she performed Beethoven’s Sonata for Violin and Piano No 5 in F major Op 24 – The Spring.

Both artists gave first-rate performances of the work which breaks from the original sonata form by having four movements making it a revolutionary work in its own time, in a period when Beethoven’s deafness was becoming more pronounced.

The entire evening was thoroughly interesting and entertaining and made a first class start to the club’s new season.

Its next event will be an appearance by the Galliard Wind Ensemble on Tuesday, November 24.

JOHN MANNING