Favorite Beethoven Symphony

[kyjo]

I'm not the greatest Beethoven fan in the world, but why not start this poll? Well, I voted for no. 7. Much as I love nos. 5 and 9, I suffer from over-familiarity with them and they are hackneyed to no end. No. 7, I feel, has a greater "freshness" to it. The joyous (and sometimes nervous) sweep of this work always puts a smile on my face (especially when those horns come in in the first movement)! The second movement is oddly moving in its solemn, melancholy feel. It's one of Beethoven's most unique creations.

[Mirror Image]

Zzzzzz.....

[kyjo]

Zzzzzz.....

I can't please you all the time, John!

[Mirror Image]

I can't please you all the time, John!

Right back at ya, Slick!

[Mirror Image]

Honestly, I haven't listened to ol' Ludwig's symphonies in quite some time. Which one is the most violent?

[PaulR]

7 is my favorite.  The rest, in order: 3-5-6-9-4-8-1-2

[kyjo]

Honestly, I haven't listened to ol' Ludwig's symphonies in quite some time. Which one is the most violent?

Violent? Hmmmm......try the scherzos of nos. 7 and 9 and the first movement of 5 (although severely hackneyed). Also, the first couple minutes of the finale of 9 are "violent" in Beethoven terms. For a bit of bitterness ( ), try the slow movements of no. 3 and 7. To be honest, though, there's more violence and bitterness to be found in his late SQs and piano sonatas.

[Brahmsian]

The 9th was my original favourite, and what got me into classical music.

Then, the 7th became my favourite.

For the last couple of years at least, the 3rd has become my current favourite.    It's that haunting 2nd movement funeral march followed by that starkly contrasted scherzo 3rd movement. 

[kyjo]

7 is my favorite.  The rest, in order: 3-5-6-9-4-8-1-2

I would go along with that order, to some extent: 7, 9, 5, 3, 6, 4, 1, 8, 2

[kyjo]

For the last couple of years at least, the 3rd has become my current favourite.    It's that haunting 2nd movement funeral march followed by that starkly contrasted scherzo 3rd movement. 

I really love that outburst of anger in the middle of the slow movement-so ahead of its time! Did you hear that, John? Outburst of anger!

[TheGSMoeller]

Favorite? The 3rd. No doubt. Even if only for the scherzo.

The best? The 9th. I would have no argument against the 9th. It's popularity is unmatched for a reason, and after performing parts of it and being in the audience as a spectator, I really got a true sense of its power and allure.

[Brahmsian]

Ok, I guess my order in terms of favourites would somewhat be like this:

3, 7, 6, 9, 4, 5, 8, 2, 1

The truth, it is the one that I'd be currently listening to. 

[Brahmsian]

I really love that outburst of anger in the middle of the slow movement-so ahead of its time! Did you hear that, John? Outburst of anger!

Absolutely!  The original Jaws theme moment (even before The Rite of Spring) 

[Brian]

I have no idea what this means...

they are hackneyed to no end

...but I think my order would be 7, 5, 4, 8, 3, 6, 9, 2, 1. At least today.

[Brahmsian]

Favorite? The 3rd. No doubt. Even if only for the scherzo.

The best? The 9th. I would have no argument against the 9th. It's popularity is unmatched for a reason, and after performing parts of it and being in the audience as a spectator, I really got a true sense of its power and allure.

My first symphony concert in early 2005 was a performance of the 9th symphony (right when I was starting to enjoy the 9th and my early fascination with Beethoven).  What an incredible experience.

The 2nd movement Scherzo of the 9th symphony is so powerful, and still strikes awe.  Awe! 

[Mirror Image]

Violent? Hmmmm......try the scherzos of nos. 7 and 9 and the first movement of 5 (although severely hackneyed). Also, the first couple minutes of the finale of 9 are "violent" in Beethoven terms. For a bit of bitterness ( ), try the slow movements of no. 3 and 7. To be honest, though, there's more violence and bitterness to be found in his late SQs and piano sonatas.

I like the late SQs already and have enjoyed them so I was just curious about which symphony could qualify as the most violent. Seems like Symphony No. 7 will be the way to go for me. I'll give this one a listen (one day). I'll also listen to the 9th as I've mentioned before, it's just been too long since I listened to any of Beethoven's orchestral music.

BTW, you're such a copycat, changing your avatar the same time as I did!

P. S. Love Honegger BTW. Definitely one of my favorites.

[kyjo]

I have no idea what this means

I should have just said "overly hackneyed". "To no end" doesn't really make sense in that context, I guess.

[PaulR]

I should have just said "overly hackneyed". "To no end" doesn't really make sense in that context, I guess.

Still makes no sense.....Do you mean overplayed/overused?

Taken as a whole, the Fifth is a brilliant work.

[kyjo]

I like the late SQs already and have enjoyed them so I was just curious about which symphony could qualify as the most violent. Seems like Symphony No. 7 will be the way to go for me. I'll give this one a listen (one day). I'll also listen to the 9th as I've mentioned before, it's just been too long since I listened to any of Beethoven's orchestral music.

BTW, you're such a copycat, changing your avatar the same time as I did!

P. S. Love Honegger BTW. Definitely one of my favorites.

Yeah, there's a good chance that no. 7 would be your favorite of the cycle.

P.S. I was gonna change my avatar anyway!

[kyjo]

Still makes no sense.....Do you mean overplayed/overused?

In a way, yes. Not necessarily "overplayed", though. One just has to avoid over-exposure to it, as with any of the standard repertoire works.