Riccardo Chailly on the art of Beethoven

Classic FM's Tim Lihoreau has been speaking to the Italian conductor Riccardo Chailly all about the Gewandhausorchester's performance of Beethoven's symphonies at London's Barbican Hall.

This week saw the release of a remarkable new CD of the Gewandhousorchester performing the complete cycle of Beethoven's nine symphonies, conducted by maestro Chailly himself. The new box set is already being heralded as one of the finest ever recordings of the complete Beethoven symphonies and it has been John Suchet's CD of the week this week on Classic FM.

Recorded live over the last three years, the CD celebrates what has been a key part of the orchestra's repertoire since the beginning of he 19th century.

To celebrate this, Riccardo and the Gewandhausorchester will be performing Beethoven's symphonies in several major European cities, culminating in a series of concerts at London's Barbican Hall, taking place between 25 October and 3 November.

Classic FM's Tim Lihoreau spoke to Riccardo Chailly all about these highly anticipated performances, the challenges of Beethoven's best works and what we can expect from the five new pieces.

Listen to the interview with Riccardo Chailly below.

For complete listings of the Gewandhausorchester residency visit the Barbican website