What makes Beethoven immortal?

In this wide-ranging conversation, pianist Orlando Alonso sits down with acclaimed biographer and composer Jan Swafford to explore the inner life, artistic courage, and spiritual defiance of Ludwig van Beethoven.

We discuss:

• The myth and reality of the “Immortal Beloved”
• The revolutionary force of the late piano sonatas
• Op. 111 and the transcendence of the Arietta
• Beethoven’s deafness and artistic will
• The tension between biography and legend
• What Beethoven still demands of performers today

Throughout the episode, we reference and briefly explore musical excerpts that illuminate key moments in Beethoven’s evolution — from storm and struggle to luminous transcendence.

This is not simply a conversation about a composer.

It is a meditation on artistic destiny, suffering, and immortality.

Jan Swafford’s books are available wherever books are sold.

Highly recommended:

• Beethoven: Anguish and Triumph
• Mozart: The Reign of Love
• Johannes Brahms: A Biography
• Charles Ives: A Life with Music

Musical excerpts included in this episode are used for purposes of commentary, criticism, and educational discussion. All rights to the recordings remain with their respective copyright holders.

Was Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl halftime show a cultural milestone — or something else?

In this episode of OAMusic, Orlando Alonso examines the performance through the lens of art, representation, and cultural standards. Beyond politics and social media noise, this is a conversation about what we celebrate — and why.