Hello, Robin Hilton here.

Oh thank you.

Yeah we always love hearing how important shows like all songs considered in tiny

desks are to our listeners.

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NPR music you're connected to all songs considered.

I'm Bob Boylin.

December 17th 2020 marks the 250th birthday of Ludwig von Beethoven.

On this edition of all songs considered we celebrate the composer's genius with a conversation

that may enlighten those already familiar with Beethoven's music but may also shine a

light for those only familiar with the ba ba ba ba ba.

Joining me for this conversation is composer and author Jan Swofford.

He wrote a roughly 1000 page biography titled Beethoven, Anguish and Triumph.

Jan has a way of speaking about this music that helps people like me, the less knowledgeable,

understand this man and his music.

Am I guiding light for this conversation and producer of other Beethoven things on the

NPR music site including three tiny desks concerts is NPR music's Tom Heisenga.

And we kick this all off with a burst of energy from Beethoven's seventh symphony.

Tom kicking off with some super energy Beethoven's symphony number seven.

...