Beethoven

[Beethoven 0]

John Williams and Beethoven are my favorite composers of all time. So I was wondering who here loves or hates Beethoven’s music and why? Who do you think was the best composer?

Do you think Beethoven was ever lacking in originality? I know he used some of Mozart’s music in the Diabelli Variations and wrote variations on other composer’s music.

[Marian Schedenig 11,695]

Lacking in originality? Well, the finale of the Choral Fantasy sounds like an alternate take on the idea of his 9th Symphony chorale...

Anyway, certainly one of the great composers. I adore the 7th symphony. Several others are excellent, not to forget Fidelio.

Marian - hoping to see Fidelio live again this season.

Symphony #8 "The Great" (Franz Schubert)

[Morlock 12]

Yup, he's good too.

Morlock- who loves all Beethoven symphonies save the first 2, and thinks that his 5th, 6th & 9th are the three greatest symphonies ever

[David Coscina 4]

I actually prefer his 7th Symphony. There's a gravity there that speaks to me. And it hasn't been bastardized for commercial use as much as the 5th and 9th have.

But I'll take Mahler over Beethoven any day. But I acknowledge that without Beethoven, there wouldn't be a Mahler.

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 12,390]

I have the soundtrack he wrote for Immortal Beloved.

Not really my cup of tea.

[King Mark 3,975]

Beethoven's 6th symphony is the root of my love for film scores I think,since it's a very visual piece and the first piece of music I loved.I was 5 or 6 y old and I'd play it over and over on my Dad's turntable.

K.M.

[Hitch 60]

I have the soundtrack he wrote for Immortal Beloved.

Not really my cup of tea.

I did try to convert you in London. Don't you remember? LOL

[Greg1138 3]

I have the soundtrack he wrote for Immortal Beloved.

[Lurker 5]

I've recently bought this complete Beethoven cycle.

Neil

[JoeinAR 1,957]

isn't Beethoven the statue that Schroeder, from the Peanuts gang, always worships.

I just figured he was some invention of Charles Shultz.

[Mr. Breathmask 624]

I've recently bought this complete Beethoven cycle.

Neil

There's five of them now?

[Lurker 5]

Dis is get-ting out of hand. Now dare are five of dem.

Neil

[Hitch 60]

I'm the uglier one of the two. And the smelliest.

You can roll over now, Neil.

[Morn 8]

He wrote the european anthem, didn't he?

[Melange 448]

But I acknowledge that without Beethoven, there wouldn't be a Mahler.

I think this is crucial, because it seems all of the composers were linked in such a way. Beethoven was green with envy about some of Mozart's work, and hence strove with diligence to write something to surpass. Likewise, Wagner early on was green with envy about some of Beethoven's work (he certainly had a thing for his 7th Symphony) and strove with diligence to write something that would surpass them. So they were all inspired by each other initially. In trying to do surpass each other, they ended up creating their own unique style eventually. That was the magic of it.

[Morn 8]

Yes well there are a few composers today who are clearly influenced by Williams.

[Hitch 60]

Yes well there are a few composers today who are clearly influenced by Williams.

Yes, a few come to mind.

Hitch

[Beethoven 0]

I've seen the Beethoven movies (not really my cup of tea).

My other favourite composer is Richard Strauss. I don't like his atonal works such as Schatten and Elektra. I like his later works such as Metamorphosen, Four Last Songs, Daphne, Capriccio, the Oboe Concerto, and the Horn Concerto no. 2.

[Morn 8]

What about Schoenberg?

[Beethoven 0]

I heard Schoenberg's Transfigured Night on the radio and I really liked it.

[Marian Schedenig 11,695]

My other favourite composer is Richard Strauss. I don't like his atonal works such as Schatten and Elektra. I like his later works such as Metamorphosen, Four Last Songs, Daphne, Capriccio, the Oboe Concerto, and the Horn Concerto no. 2.  

I saw Elektra live earlier this year and was absolutely stunned. I'm planning on seeing Daphne, Rosenkavalier and Salome this season.

One wonderful and horribly underrated (or at least I guess so, since there are hardly any recordings of it) early Strauss work is Aus Italien. And of course, Also sprach Zarathustra shares the fate of Carmina Burana and others - it's an amazing work in its entirety, yet most people only know the opening piece.

Marian - who has to mention Anton Bruckner on this occasion.

[Hitch 60]

LOS ANGELES PHILHARMONIC GALA

Thursday, September 29, 2005

Kick off the Philharmonic's Beethoven festival by immersing yourself in his awe-inspiring genius.

Russian virtuoso Evgeny Kissin plays the towering "Emperor" Concerto. A specially created dramatic presentation will frame passages of Beethoven's greatest music with his own eloquent words, read by recent Emmy nominee and four-time Oscar® nominee Ed Harris.

After the concert, dine and dance under the Los Angeles skyline and reflected beauty of Walt Disney Concert Hall.

Tickets start at $1,500, which includes a significant charitable contribution.

This gala evening benefits the Musicians Pension Fund and the Los Angeles Philharmonic Association.

Menu created by acclaimed chef Joachim Splichal; premium wines specially selected by Gina Gallo, Gallo of Sonoma; Martini Ice Bars provided by Ketel One Vodka

Black tie

Seating is limited.

Alma, where's my cumberbund???

[Lurker 5]

Alma, where's my cumberbund???

It fell in the toilet.

Neil

[Docteur Qui 1,581]

Ah, I adore the Emperor Concerto. Wish I was going.