Favorite Beethoven Symphony

[DavidW]

I just now realized you two have the same avatar.

lol  I sometimes get confused, on this or that thread thinking "why did I say that? I don't think that!"

[TheGSMoeller]

I'm seeing the ASO perform the 7th in April, first time seeing it live, I guarantee it becomes my favorite afterwards, live performances have that affect on me.

[TheGSMoeller]

Would make for a great April fools joke, if the moderators had power to change everyone's avatar. Can you imagine if John (MI) logged in and had a Mozart avatar? 

[PaulR]

Would make for a great April fools joke, if the moderators had power to change everyone's avatar. Can you imagine if John (MI) logged in and had a Mozart avatar? 

Surely you mean Bach

[Mirror Image]

Would make for a great April fools joke, if the moderators had power to change everyone's avatar. Can you imagine if John (MI) logged in and had a Mozart avatar? 

Oh, the outrage!!! I'd put up a Mozart avatar before I would a Stockhausen one, though. No doubt about it!

[DavidW]

Would make for a great April fools joke, if the moderators had power to change everyone's avatar. Can you imagine if John (MI) logged in and had a Mozart avatar? 

And James had a Cage avatar?  I had a Wagner avatar?  I could go on and on... that would be fun!

[Brian]

I'm seeing the ASO perform the 7th in April, first time seeing it live, I guarantee it becomes my favorite afterwards, live performances have that affect on me.

The 7th is so fantastic live. Last time I lived in San Antonio (spring 2011) they did all 9 live in concert to drum up cash. Hey, no complaints 

[Sergeant Rock]

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

Hey, MI. The development in the Eighth is the most violent. It's like a Classical-era Le Sacre, driven and relentless. There is a sustained fortissimo, then double and triple fortissimo passage that is astonishing in its violence and power and length, and unprecedented for its time. The first video is a short clip in which Lenny talks about it. The second and third are Lenny and Bruno Weil playing the first movement. The part I'm talking about begins around 4:30 with anticipation and unease, and then takes off around 5:05 in each video. (There's a very metal moment at 5:40, with Lenny doing some headbanging  ) Watch and try to listen with Classical Style ears 

http://www.youtube.com/v/FKrDoQzTGfM

http://www.youtube.com/v/vSmzyzEQ6Vk

http://www.youtube.com/v/_qwCcGBSecM


Sarge

[kyjo]

And James had a Cage avatar?  I had a Wagner avatar?  I could go on and on... that would be fun!

....or me have a Strauss avatar

[Lisztianwagner]

Although I love all Beethoven's symphonies, the 9th remains very special to me; it is the composition which is the closest to my heart.

[TheGSMoeller]

....or me have a Strauss avatar

You don't deserve one.   

[The new erato]

Although I love all Beethoven's symphonies, the 9th remains very special to me; it is the composition which is the closest to my heart.

I've always felt the 9th is let down by its Final movement that sits rather oddly with the rest. For me its no 3, followed by 7 & 5, though I've always had a particularly weak spot for no 6.

[Sergeant Rock]

The Eroica is my first love, followed by the Eighth.

Sarge

[Karl Henning]

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.

Thanks for this. The mighty Op. 125 comes in for a lot of unmerited abuse.

[Karl Henning]

In a way, yes. Not necessarily "overplayed", though.

You mean, then, that they are all good music which deserves its place in the repertory? Then we agree on that.

[Karl Henning]

I can, fortunately.

Nah, you can't. Just symphonies you prefer to hear.

Fortunately, the musical world does not define "perfection" as, what so-and-so likes to listen to :-

[Karl Henning]

I voted for the Op.60, which is better than most give it credit for, overshadowed by its more dramatic neighbors. (The dramatic neighbors are great pieces, too, mind you. In fact, I could have voted for nearly any of the nine.  In which, I expect I am not alone)

0:)

[Karl Henning]

The Eroica is my first love, followed by the Eighth.

I like polls like this, because I'll cast my vote (and honestly), and then I'll see a neighbor's vote, and (with equal honesty) think, that's how I might have voted, too.

[Karl Henning]

I'm seeing the ASO perform the 7th in April, first time seeing it live, I guarantee it becomes my favorite afterwards, live performances have that affect on me.

Très cool!

[Brahmsian]

I voted for the Op.60, which is better than most give it credit for, overshadowed by its more dramatic neighbors. (The dramatic neighbors are great pieces, too, mind you. In fact, I could have voted for nearly any of the nine.  In which, I expect I am not alone)

0:)

I knew you would chose the 4th, Karl!  I know you too well. 

It's a fabulous work, and that haunting opening is out of this world!