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Beautiful Music NOW - Bridgetower Sonata

Kaupo Kikkas

Ludwig van Beethoven's Violin Sonata #9 op.47 is commonly called by its nickname, the Kreutzer Sonata. Beethoven dedicated it to French violinist Rodolphe Kreutzer (1766-1831) who, by the way, didn't even like the technically challenging composition! The Sonata is ALSO referred to as the Bridgetower Sonata, because it was originally dedicated to violinist George Bridgetower (1778–1860), a virtuoso British musician of African descent.

Today's Beautiful Music features violinist Randall Goosby and pianist Zhu Wang performing Beethoven's Bridgetower Sonata.

Suzanne Bona is the host and executive producer of Sunday Baroque, a nationally syndicated weekly radio show of Baroque and early music which she originated on WSHU in 1987.