After finishing Egmont, Beethoven resumed the composition of folksong settings from June 1810 to the middle of July. Completed were 10 settings that comprise Group II in Barry Cooper’s chronological listing. Five are available on YouTube in live performances.
#Beethoven250 Day 241
Setting of “The Wand'ring Gypsy” CFS II/3 (WoO 152, No. 23), 1810
A text of Dr. Wolcot tells of the poor but happy life of the gypsy.
#Beethoven250 Day 241
Setting of “Farewell Bliss and Farewell Nancy” CFS II/6 (WoO 152, No. 20), 1810
Starting at 21:15 in this video, lyrics by Anne Grant tell of a lost love that hurts all the more for the love having been so strong.
#Beethoven250 Day 241
Setting of “Come draw we Round a Cheerful Ring” CFS II/7 (WoO 152, No. 8), 1810
This ensemble adds a mandolin to this drinking song by Joanna Baillie, with tales told in a cozy seclusion from the winter weather
#Beethoven250 Day 241
Setting of “Come draw we Round a Cheerful Ring” CFS II/7 (WoO 152, No. 8), 1810
In Italy, Australian soprano Cathy-Di Zhang sings an Irish folk tune with words by a Scottish poet and music by an Austrian composer.
#Beethoven250 Day 241
Setting of “The Return to Ulster” CFS II/8 (WoO 152, No. 1), 1810
Starting at 3:37 in this video, Sir Walter Scott tells of forlorn disillusionment when returning to one’s hometown after so many life experiences.
#Beethoven250 Day 241
Setting of “The Return to Ulster” CFS II/8 (WoO 152, No. 1), 1810
Starting at 8:40 in this video, the Apollo Chamber Players also return to Ulster with Sir Walter Scott.
#Beethoven250 Day 241
Setting of “Let Brain-spinning Swains” CFS II/10 (WoO 152, No. 15), 1810
Alexander Boswell, the eldest son of Johnson biographer James Boswell, bought a seat in Parliament, wrote Scottish songs, & was killed in a duel.