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Classical New England throws a birthday party for the composer who changed everything.

Tenor William Hite sings "Come Draw We 'Round This Cheerful Ring," one of Beethoven's British Isles folksong arrangements, freshly arranged for piano, cello, and mandolin by Classical New England's James David Jacobs. With Gilles Vonsattel, piano; Brian Howard, cello; Bryce Milano, mandolin.

There is probably no more recognizable composer than Ludwig van Beethoven, whether encountered as a hovering presence for Schroeder in "Peanuts," as the sound of Fate through the four-note theme of the Fifth Symphony, or, best of all, in the concert hall.

For Beethoven's birthday (most likely Dec. 16th), Classical New England celebrates this most fascinating of artistic minds with a program of music that uncovers rarely heard works of heart-felt emotion and sublime beauty.

Enjoy the video preview above, and to hear the program on-demand, click on "Listen" at the top of this page.

On the program:

Equale for Trombone Quartet, WoO30, No. 1
Ron Barron, Greg Spiridopoulos, Don Lucas, Gabe Langfur, trombones

Sonata in F for Horn and Piano, Op. 17
William Purvis, horn; Mihae Lee, piano

Three Irish and Welsh Songs:

• Cupid's Kindness, WoO 155 No. 2

• The Kiss, Dear Maid, Thy Lip Has Left, WoO 153, No. 9

• Come Draw We Round the Cheerful Ring,  WoO 152 No. 8

William Hite, Tenor; Gilles Vonsattel, piano; Brian Howard, cello; Bryce Milano, mandolin

Sonatina in C for Mandolin & fortepiano, WoO 44a
Adagio in E flat  for Mandolin & fortepiano, WoO 43b
Bryce Milano, mandolin; Sylvia Berry, Fortepiano