GMG Classical Music Forum

 :)

Beethoven.  No offense to Schubert fans but LvB is the man.   8)

They are both great, but GASP I actually listen to the Schubert 9th more often.

Beethoven  :).

I'd rather listen to Beethoven but I'd rather eat banana tapioca.

What next?  The Velvet Underground vs The Pet Shop Boys?

Ugh. I hate The Velvet Underground.

;)

I'm sorry. I started this as I was listening to Schubey's 9th and thinking it was sooo wonderful.  0:)

This one isn't even close.  Perhaps the greatest symphony every written (Beethoven) vs. an overblown Schubert concoction.

Quote from: Bulldog on January 21, 2010, 06:58:44 AM
This one isn't even close.  Perhaps the greatest symphony every written (Beethoven) vs. an overblown Schubert concoction.

Wow. Massive Schubert hatred!  :P

Since they are both in my top tier as composers, and since they both wrote nine symphonies (more or less), and since my favorite Beethoven symphonies are 3, 4 and 8 while my three favorite Schubert are 1, 5, and 9...Schubert wins this silly contest (and it isn't even Friday yet)  ;D

Sarge

Quote from: Beethovenian on January 21, 2010, 06:58:03 AM
I'm sorry. I started this as I was listening to Schubey's 9th and thinking it was sooo wonderful.  0:)

And you were right, it IS a lovely work, one that I listen to often. Not every Sunday morning for the last 14.5 years though... just sayin'... 

I agree at least partly with BullGuy  here: the greatest symphony ever written. Op 125 in d.... :)

8)

Quote from: Bulldog on January 21, 2010, 06:58:44 AM
This one isn't even close.  Perhaps the greatest symphony every written (Beethoven) vs. an overblown Schubert concoction.

I'd like to read a musicological argument proving Schubert's Ninth is overblown (whatever that means)  but Beethoven's isn't. I don't think it can be done but I'll gladly consider the argument.

Sarge

Quote from: Beethovenian on January 21, 2010, 06:59:46 AM
Wow. Massive Schubert hatred!  :P

I don't "hate" the Schubert 9th, but it doesn't click with me nearly as much as the Beethoven.  I've heard the Schubert live a few times in the last few years, and each time came away thinking, "Well, OK...nice, but don't need to hear it again for awhile."

--Bruce

Quote from: bhodges on January 21, 2010, 07:38:28 AM
I don't "hate" the Schubert 9th, but it doesn't click with me nearly as much as the Beethoven.  I've heard the Schubert live a few times in the last few years, and each time came away thinking, "Well, OK...nice, but don't need to hear it again for awhile."

--Bruce

What the B-man said. (Of course, not the bit about the concerts. Unfortunately. :()

Quote from: bhodges on January 21, 2010, 07:38:28 AM
I don't "hate" the Schubert 9th, but it doesn't click with me nearly as much as the Beethoven.  I've heard the Schubert live a few times in the last few years, and each time came away thinking, "Well, OK...nice, but don't need to hear it again for awhile."

--Bruce

That's pretty much what I think of the Beethoven 9th.  Nice but don't need to hear it again for awhile.

I like them both. Oh, what possessed me to pit them against each other?  :'(

Quote from: Beethovenian on January 21, 2010, 06:59:46 AM
Wow. Massive Schubert hatred!  :P

Not at all.  I love Schubert's solo piano and chamber works.  It's just the symphonies that I don't much care for.

Quote from: Bulldog on January 21, 2010, 08:34:06 AM
Not at all.  I love Schubert's solo piano and chamber works.  It's just the symphonies that I don't much care for.

You don't even like the first movement?

Quote from: Beethovenian on January 21, 2010, 08:34:45 AM
You don't even like the first movement?

Mild affection.

Quote from: bhodges on January 21, 2010, 07:38:28 AM
I don't "hate" the Schubert 9th, but it doesn't click with me nearly as much as the Beethoven.  I've heard the Schubert live a few times in the last few years, and each time came away thinking, "Well, OK...nice, but don't need to hear it again for awhile."

Performances tend to be too heavy and/or too long (doing the repeats is not a good idea). I just recommended Mehta in another thread, for avoiding these problems.

I picked Schubert, because it's the one I prefer to listen to.

The question not being about the 'greatest' one, I definitely come down in favour of Schubert's. I listen to it with more pleasure than Beethoven's, which often comes across as an overblown concoction. There ;).

Of course the whole concept is silly, as in Bruckner 9 vs Mahler 9, or Beethoven VC vs Brahms VC, but then again it's fair game and good fun.

Quote from: Barak on January 21, 2010, 04:00:06 PM
...but then again it's fair game and good fun.

Exactly.

Well, it's not a total blow-out for Beethoven.

I love them both. I'm going to have a banana split now.

Excuse my propensity for controversy, but I remember that when I first got into music I decided to give various composers a try:  Beethoven and Mozart both blew me away - I had never heard anything like them before!  Then I tried Schubert...  My immediate impression was, "What is this?  This is terrible!"  I've never been able connect with him since.  Therefore, in my mind, he cannot come close to comparing with Beethoven.  My apologies to any Schubertians I may have offended.

I also like them both but if push comes to shove then LvB is the man

The Schubert 9th is the work which, when I come across it on the radio, I keep trying to identify as Beethoven, so for me, the Schubert 9th is the symphony that Schubert wrote for Beethoven; he almost out-Beethovens Beethoven.

I'd rather sing the Beethoven 9th than the Schubert 9th, however. :D

As wonderful as Schubert's 9th symphony is, I'll take Beethoven's 9th any day, along with Beethoven's 7th, 6th, 5th, 3rd, 8th and 4th.  :D

I simply can't choose! They haven't got much in common anyways besides their numbering....
And historically they both made an impact;
- Beethoven- Berlioz- Liszt- Wagner
- Schubert- Schumann- Bruckner