HE was the German genius whose compositions are still known around the world. But new research shows Ludwig van Beethoven was sometimes playing a Jacobite tune.
Evidence gathered by German musicologist Dr Michael Klevenhaus suggests some of the maestro’s music came from Bonn via bonnie Scotland.
According to Klevenhaus, Beethoven created new versions of as many as 47 Scots melodies between 1809 and 1820 for publisher George Thomson, an Edinburgh-based folklore collector.
But with the 1745 Jacobite rebellion still within living memory, the true origins of the tunes were hidden, with their titles and lyrics kept from the composer.
READ MORE: James MacPherson: The Scot who inspired Beethoven and Schubert
The new information is featured in a BBC Alba documentary as the 250th birthday of the classical giant is marked.
It follows Klevenhaus from Beethoven’s Bonn birthplace through Scotland’s Highlands, islands and Lowlands as he meets trad musicians to reveal the hidden Gaelic melodies in the icon’s work.
It builds on five years of research triggered by footnote in a scholarly work by piper Allan MacDonald, who stated that the song Enchantress Farewell, arranged by Beethoven with words by Sir Walter Scott, was based on Mhnathan a’ Ghlinne Seo (Women of the Glen).
Klevenhaus said: “What would a radical republican like Beethoven have made of a political song by Sileas Na Ceapaich, about people rising united against the king?
“It’s been fascinating to discover the highly political nature of some of the original songs.”
Orain Ghaidhlig Beethoven airs on BBC Alba next Wednesday – December 16 – at 9pm.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel