No, Ludwig van Beethoven certainly never played the bagpipes in the Highlands, but George Thomson succeeded in piquing his interest in Scotland - musically, at least. Thomson, who dedicated himself passionately to the collection and publication of the music of his homeland, commissioned Europe's most famous composer to adapt the popular songs of the British Isles into attractive versions for the international market. A sizeable collection of English, Irish, Scottish, and Welsh songs in Beethoven's versions was the happy result. Featuring Karen Kamensek, the Tonkunstler Orchestra, and a hand-picked specialist ensemble of vocals, fiddle, harp, percussion, and of course bagpipes, the «Celtic Beethoven» will delight with authentic sounds.