Celtic Beethoven

The evening

Marking 200 years since the death of Beethoven, this special concert celebrates the composer through his remarkable connections to the folk traditions of the British Isles. Conducted by Grant Llewellyn, with baritone Gwilym Bowen Rees piper Carlos Núñez Muñoz and harpist Catrin Finch, the programme highlights Beethoven’s fascination with Irish, Scottish and Welsh melodies. Songs such as The Vale of Clwyd, The Return to Ulster and The Pulse of an Irishman reveal how deeply he valued folk music as a source of authenticity and emotional truth. These settings combine simple, expressive melodies with Beethoven’s unmistakable craftsmanship. A specially arranged performance of the Welsh lullaby Suo Gân sits alongside Scottish and Irish airs and variations. The concert opens with the electrifying finale of Symphony No. 7, whose rhythmic vitality offers a powerful tribute to Beethoven’s enduring legacy and human spirit.