"Lost" Beethoven classic revealed.

The first performance of a lost Beethoven piece in 200 years, possibly ever.
What you can hear is a reconstruction of a movement from a Beethoven composition for string quartet which was discarded by the composer and replaced by a new version.
It was part of the 'String quartet in G, Opus 18 Number 2' which was written for Prince Lobkowitz, a leading patron of the arts in Vienna, in 1799.
It's been painstakingly pieced together based on surviving detailed sketches by experts at Manchester University, where Professor of Music is David Fanning.
SOUNDBITE: Professor of Music at Manchester University David Fanning, saying (English):
"Well, the version that went to Prince Lobkowitz has never been found. It's presumed lost. But Beethoven typically made lots of sketches so from these sketches, which I think sometimes are very short and other times maybe just one of the four instruments, Barry Cooper managed to recreate a very likely version of what Lobkowitz received."
The reconstruction cannot be absolutely accurate, but it's believed to be as close as one can get when working only with the sketches -- often with only music for the higher instruments written out in full.
And the musicians, granted the honour of the first performance, were excited to bring the piece to life, including first violin Marc Danel.
SOUNDBITE: First Violin, Marc Danel, saying (English):
"It's naturally the discovery of a fantastic piece of music, because it is such an incredible composer. Every bar of him is fantastic. And anyway, it was the final version before he decided to work it again."
Beethoven cut down his original version by 3 minutes and replaced the stormy and angry middle section with a calmer one.
But judging by the enthusiastic response from the audience, perhaps history would have treated the piece just as kindly had the great composer stuck to his first draft.
Edward Baran, Reuters