A composer of intense passion and power, Beethoven set the standard for others to follow. His symphonies, sonatas, concertos and other works completely revolutionized the history of music. The Rough Guide serves as a superb introduction to the intensely powerful, highly individual and ingenious music of Beethoven.

Personnel: John Lill (piano), Anima Eterna, Jos van Immerseel (conductor), Radio Symphony Orchestra Stuttgart, Roger Norrington (conductor), Nicolaus Esterhazy Sinfonia, Michael Halasz (conductor), Edith Lienbacher, Inga Nielson, Kurt Moll, Herwig Pecoraro, Leipzig String Quartet, Kodaly Quartet, The Gaudier Ensemble, Jenö Jandö, Stefan Vladar (piano), Cappella Istropolitana, Barry Wordsworth (conductor)

Bonus CD: Corydon Orchestra, Corydon Singers, Matthew Best (conductor) 'Beethoven: Mass in C major'.

Despite Beethoven's prolific output in other genres he only wrote two masses - the Mass in C major and the magnificent Missa Solemnis. This bonus disc therefore presents some of the rarest work by the great composer. Beethoven's treatment of the Latin mass text is wonderfully interpretive and makes use of powerfully expressive word-painting techniques.