Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827)

[George]

There's nothing wrong with tongue and cheek. It's the pointless motivation for it that bothered me.

If that really bothered you, I imagine life must be incredibly difficult for you.

Try being witty inside a conversation instead of reviving a thread just for the sake of a "look at me, aren't I funny" moment.

Bogey doesn't need to try anything new, he's fine as he is.

[Bogey]

Thanks, buddy.

[Brahmsian]

Like George, I didn't think there was anything wrong with Bogey (Bill's) post.

Humour is always welcome in my world. 

[Madiel]

Well, perhaps I should just disabuse myself of the expectation that when this thread comes up on the unread posts or new replies list, it means there might be something about Beethoven being discussed?

That was the source of the irritation - that instead of Beethoven I got clickbait. But hey, it looks as if we try really hard we could chalk up an entire page of talking about my irritation instead of about Beethoven's music.

[George]

Like George, I didn't think there was anything wrong with Bogey (Bill's) post.

Humour is always welcome in my world. 

Your avatar gave you away. 

[Dancing Divertimentian]

So much for tongue and cheek posts.  Just trying to have a bit of fun and sorry I offended you with the attempt. 

Well, I enjoyed it. Thanks for the laugh, Bill!

[Dancing Divertimentian]

Just purely as a punchline, I'm trying to imagine if any other composer would've worked in that caption. "Schubert is IT!". "Prokofiev is IT!". "Handel is IT!".

Doubtful......

[George]

Just purely as a punchline, I'm trying to imagine if any other composer would've worked in that caption. "Schubert is IT!". "Prokofiev is IT!". "Handel is IT!".

Doubtful......

Coke would work.

[Dancing Divertimentian]

Coke would work.

[Bogey]

Anyone here have any LvB under Takashi Asahina?  If so, your thoughts.

[Henk]

Interesting article.

http://medicalxpress.com/news/2015-01-beethoven-music-literally-heartfelt-cardiac.html

[Jo498]

I am pretty sure I read the idea connecting the "beklemmt" passage in the middle of the "Cavatina" with heart disease already years ago in an older book on Beethoven, probably Walter Riezler's from ca. 1940.
I don't really see how the horn calls from Les Adieux enter into this context, but the recitative and also the reprise of the "arioso dolente" in op.110 obviously have similarities to the cavatina passages. There are probably a few more. Basically, these seem similar tonal gestures of anguish that will also be found in other music, although Beethoven took it to extremes (as frequently).

[aquablob]

I am pretty sure I read the idea connecting the "beklemmt" passage in the middle of the "Cavatina" with heart disease already years ago in an older book on Beethoven, probably Walter Riezler's from ca. 1940.
I don't really see how the horn calls from Les Adieux enter into this context, but the recitative and also the reprise of the "arioso dolente" in op.110 obviously have similarities to the cavatina passages. There are probably a few more. Basically, these seem similar tonal gestures of anguish that will also be found in other music, although Beethoven took it to extremes (as frequently).

They probably don't mean the opening horn calls of Op. 81a, but rather some of what follows in the slow introduction.

(In any case, the article strikes me as hogwash.)

[Jo498]

Also "beklemmt" does not mean "with a heavy heart"
"oppressive" or maybe "constrictive" would be better. The "feeling" associated would not be an aching heart/chest, but a certain tightness, difficulty breathing etc.

[Florestan]

(In any case, the article strikes me as hogwash.)

Yep! It´s from the ongoing series "The British/American researchers discovered recently that [insert hogwash]"

[Mandryka]

Does anyone have a list of books and music in Beethoven's library?

[mahler10th]

What is the take on Karl Bohms Beethoven cycle with the VPO?  The more I listen to it (or parts thereov) the more I think it is truly outstanding.  Immense.  Wonderful music making.  It has depth, honesty and a fabulously engaging resonance.  Rising and falling all in the right places.  It's the first Beethoven I reach for these days.   

[kishnevi]

What is the take on Karl Bohms Beethoven cycle with the VPO?  The more I listen to it (or parts thereov) the more I think it is truly outstanding.  Immense.  Wonderful music making.  It has depth, honesty and a fabulously engaging resonance.  Rising and falling all in the right places.  It's the first Beethoven I reach for these days.   

I think it is one of the better "old school" cycles, though I actually prefer newer sets like Chailly and Paavo Jarvi.

[Jo498]

Does anyone have a list of books and music in Beethoven's library?

I do not, but I think I have seen once a list (or part of) in a biography or so. One thing I remember is that one of Beethoven's favorite novels was Karl Philipp Moritz' "psychological novel" Anton Reiser. Otherwise I guess he had some Goethe, Schiller, Kant, and probably also some translations of older classics. (Not sure whether Beethoven read any language besides German, maybe French, and he certainly had some Italian but overall his education was rather spotty.)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karl_Philipp_Moritz

[mszczuj]

Some information you can find here:
http://www.beethoven-haus-bonn.de/sixcms/detail.php?id=59114&template=&_mid=59114
http://www.beethoven-haus-bonn.de/sixcms/detail.php?id=59120&template=&_mid=59114