GMG Classical Music Forum
The Music Room => General Classical Music Discussion => Topic started by: Don on May 15, 2007, 06:17:13 AM
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With all the posting about the worth of Beethoven's 9th Symphony, I thought I'd offer a poll on all the Beethoven Symphonies.
My three picks are the 5th, 7th and 9th (of course).
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3, 6, and 9, in roughly that order.
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With all the posting about the worth of Beethoven's 9th Symphony, I thought I'd offer a poll on all the Beethoven Symphonies.
My three picks are the 5th, 7th and 9th (of course).
Wow. Me too.
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Wow. Me too.
Boy, the odds of us picking the same three are minimal. I've found my twin!
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Great idea, Don!
Tough call, but I voted for the Fourth, Sixth & Seventh.
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Today's snapshot: 3, 5 and 7. 3 is on top always, but 6, 4, 8 and 9 could all be runner ups (and so could 7).
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Boy, the odds of us picking the same three are minimal. I've found my twin!
;D
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My favourite Beethoven symphony has always been the 7th. The 3rd in second place and the pastorale third. I am also very fond of the fourth. But I love every single one of them. I think it is very difficult to choose one over another.
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Boy, the odds of us picking the same three are minimal.
Again, I like your sense of humor, Don!
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My favourite Beethoven symphony has always been the 7th. The 3rd in second place and the pastorale third. I am also very fond of the fourth. But I love every single one of them. I think it is very difficult to choose one over another.
The 7th is also my favourite, and I guess my favourite symphony of all together with Bruckner 8. I always look for excellent recordings of these symphonies. A bit behind I would place no. 3 and no. 4. I also find no. 2 very attractive. Well, I do love all of Beethoven's symphonies.
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Again, I like your sense of humor, Don!
You may be the only one.
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3, 4, 8
Those are the ones I listen to the most so I assume that means something.
Sarge
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9
3
6
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3, 5, 7, in no particular order (Changes depending on who's conducting, my mood, barometric pressure, etc.).
I'm surprised at the support #4 is getting, flying in the face of the conventional wisdom of the odd #'s being best. I should give that one a more careful listen.
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A much simpler question would be "your 3 least favorite" LvB Symphonies:
1, 2, 4 as my LEAST favorite (by a hugely wide margin . . . . . . .)
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I'm surprised at the support #4 is getting, flying in the face of the conventional wisdom of the odd #'s being best. I should give that one a more careful listen.
Both the Fourth and the Eighth have been unfairly relegated to the second tier. They deserve better.
Sarge
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6, 5, 7. In that order.
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Mine are 9, 8 and 7, in roughly that order. I actually don't know No. 8 all that well, which is why it sounds so fresh, the few times I've heard it.
--Bruce
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I'm surprised at the support #4 is getting, flying in the face of the conventional wisdom of the odd #'s being best. I should give that one a more careful listen.
The fourth is an amazing work. I'd recommend Pierre Monteux on Decca. It takes a while to open up to it but it's well worth it. Aside for the 1st, there really isn't a Beethoven symphony that isn't a masterpiece...
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The fourth is an amazing work.
Agreed!
. . . It takes a while to open up to it but it's well worth it.
Interesting; I took to it immediately!
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6
7 & 9
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I chose 3,7, & 9 which are my favorites today, but I'm a fickle lover. Tomorrow it could well be 2,4 and 8; or 1,5, and 6. I'm just happy that I don't have to make a binding choice about these works. ;)
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I'm just happy that I don't have to make a binding choice about these works.
Too late ;D
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8, 4 and 7 for me, in that order--the first two because they're infinitely fresh, the third because it's just damn good fun.
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9, 3 and 6 in that order.
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Great idea, Don!
Tough call, but I voted for the Fourth, Sixth & Seventh.
Since the subject of twins has been brought up, may I mention, Karl, that I do not believe you! You simply typed those three in because you somehow managed to peek into my choices (befor I actually made them...). I know that. It's obvious. So no need to hide it.
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6, 5, 7. In that order.
6, 5, ...............9.
In that order. 8)
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7,3,5...
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4 needed C. Kleiber, and I was hooked.
What about 10 then, in this magnificent recording?
(http://cover6.cduniverse.com/MuzeAudioArt/020/28516.jpg)
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9, 3 then 5 (but that could be 7 or 8 as well as picking that third favorite was tough). The 9th is probably the one I have the most different readings of and definitely the one I listen to most by a long shot.
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I knew that the 4th and 8th were the least popular of 3-9, but I didn't know that the (relative) dislike of the 8th was so great as to give the 4th double the amount of votes...
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In order (most favorite to least favorite): 9 5 7 3 1 8 4 6 2
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4, 8 & 9, in no particular order. :)
8)
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For me, in order:
2, 3, 7, 4
My faves.
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6
That's gold George! Gold! :D
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That's gold George! Gold! :D
Yes it is, Banya! ;D
Whom do you like in the glorious 6?
I like Walter and Boehm. :)
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Yes it is, Banya! ;D
Whom do you like in the glorious 6?
I like Walter and Boehm. :)
Sorry to say I don't have a lot of choices. I only had two recordings, one of which is Masur on Philips and the other was Klemperer (VOX) which I primarily bought for the Missa Solemnis. However Beethoven's Mass did not do much for me, so I have not listened to it a lot, and I somehow lost the second CD with the sixth on it ::)
So whenever I need to hear that thunder I (have to) turn on Masur, and it is quite a heavy one :)
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This bloody thread and our discussions on the other one have made me go and spend a load more money....deary me..
Barenboims complete cycle, then Bohm's symphonies 2,4,5 and something else then Guldas complete piano recordings..argh!
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This bloody thread and our discussions on the other one have made me go and spend a load more money....deary me..
Barenboims complete cycle, then Bohm's symphonies 2,4,5 and something else then Guldas complete piano recordings..argh!
That's Rob's motivation - to get us to buy more music. ;D
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3, 7, 9, in no particular order. 7 is the one I listen to most often, probably, but I can't really choose a favorite between the three. For a long time, I would have said 3, 5, 9, but I had never given the seventh its fair chance.
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Both the Fourth and the Eighth have been unfairly relegated to the second tier. They deserve better.
Sarge
Yes, but remember Sarge, Beethoven's second tier is most composers' box seats.
As of today....3,5, and 1.
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Yes, but remember Sarge, Beethoven's second tier is most composers' box seats.
All Dittersdorf needs is a dollar and a dream . . . .
;D
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My favorite Beethoven symphony?
Whichever one I heard last.
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My favorite Beethoven symphony?
Whichever one I heard last.
Best answer yet. :)
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My favorite Beethoven symphony?
Whichever one I heard last.
Mine is the one I'm putting on next. ;D
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The 7th above all.
Then perhaps the 4th.
And the 9th, because of its first 3 movements.
What a pity to leave outside the 3rd with the March.
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The 7th above all.
Anybody know a version of the 7th in which the finale goes REALLY fast and the horns just rip through the orchestra (but the performance is still clean)?
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hornteacher
Anybody know a version of the 7th in which the finale goes REALLY fast and the horns just rip through the orchestra (but the performance is still clean)?
Pierre Monteux with the LSO.
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The 7th above all.
Then perhaps the 4th.
And the 9th, because of its first 3 movements.
What a pity to leave outside the 3rd with the March.
We all had to make sacrifices, Val. Me, I wept as I discarded the Ninth...and the Seventh....and the Sixth....and the Fifth...and the Second...
Sarge
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We all had to make sacrifices, Val. Me, I wept as I discarded the Ninth...and the Seventh....and the Sixth....and the Fifth...and the Second...
Sarge
You discarded all three of my picks. :-[
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Sarge and Karl have mentioned #4 as being unfairly neglected.
It is interesting that Stravinsky is on record (in a book) that his favorite was #4.
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Sarge and Karl have mentioned #4 as being unfairly neglected.
It is interesting that Stravinsky is on record (in a book) that his favorite was #4.
And wasn't Beethoven himself especially fond of the Eighth?
Sarge
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You discarded all three of my picks. :-[
It wasn't done lightly, I assure you, George.
Sarge
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And wasn't Beethoven himself especially fond of the Eighth?
With that delicious cello-&-horn opening to the trio of the Scherzo, who could blame him, Sarge?
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And wasn't Beethoven himself especially fond of the Eighth?
Sarge
He didn't attend the premiere concert of the 2 (in 1814, I believe). He asked one of the people who DID attend how they were received, and when told that the 7th received great applause while the 8th failed to please, he flew into a rage and ranted about how stupid the average listener was. So, I would suppose you are right. :)
8)
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It wasn't done lightly, I assure you, George.
Sarge
Its OK, I discarded all of your picks. ;D
...also not lightly. :)
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He didn't attend the premiere concert of the 2 (in 1814, I believe). He asked one of the people who DID attend how they were received, and when told that the 7th received great applause while the 8th failed to please, he flew into a rage and ranted about how stupid the average listener was. So, I would suppose you are right. :)
If Beethoven saw the results of this poll, he might conclude we are just average listeners.
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He asked one of the people who DID attend how they were received, and when told that the 7th received great applause while the 8th failed to please, he flew into a rage and ranted about how stupid the average listener was.
Gee, and they say atonal composers are contemptuous of listeners ...
;)
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10 is my favorite . . . . .
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7, 6 and 4 in that order.
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10 is my favorite . . . . .
Number? Volume control setting? Female rating?
Sarge
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7, 6 and 4 in that order.
Another vote for the Fourth! Unbelievable. We are now neck and neck with the Sixth and gaining fast on the Fifth. This is turning out to be quite a horse race, folks.
Sarge
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It's either the 1962 Herbert Von Karajan-conducted 3rd Symphony or the incredible performance of the 9th from that same cycle.
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Uneasy, 6
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Quote from: D Minor on Today at 01:09:56 AM
10 is my favorite . . . . .
Number? Volume control setting? Female rating?
Sarge
Obviously a reference to the Brahm... (whoops!) BRUCKNER First Symphony!!!
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Another vote for the Fourth! Unbelievable. We are now neck and neck with the Sixth and gaining fast on the Fifth. This is turning out to be quite a horse race, folks.
Sarge
Since we're apparently about to start a fan club, I'd like to mention the recording that sold it to me:
(http://www.cdaccord.com.pl/images/covers/021.jpg)
(CD ACCORD, ACD 021, Sinfonia Varsovia conducted by Jan Krenz: Beethoven - 4th, Mozart - G Minor KV550, Bach/Krenz - Polyphonic Suite)
Maciek
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Sixth, Seventh, and Ninth for me. :)
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Pierre Monteux with the LSO.
Thanks!
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4, 7 and 8.
I like all the others too, of course, but of those I am particularly fond.
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Number? Volume control setting? Female rating?
Sarge
Element . . . . . . (Neon)
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Element . . . . . . (Neon)
Very "Noble" of you. ;D
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Very "Noble" of you. ;D
Indeed, d minor is a gas... ;D
8)
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Indeed, d minor is a gas... ;D
8)
Well done, Gurn. :D
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9, 6, 7.
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1, 5, 7
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1, 5, 7
That's odd . . . . . .
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That's odd . . . . . .
Don't forget, some people here revel in being odd. They think it makes them clever, or something. :-\
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Don't forget, some people here revel in being odd. They think it makes them clever, or something. :-\
An answer like 1, 5, 7, strikes me as perfectly sane...not odd or 'clever'.
But yes, there is such a thing as thinly disguised immaturity passed off as clever. But I admit I don't see it here...
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That's odd . . . . . .
What's odd in my choice?
The fifth and seventh are some of the most popular and performed amongst Beethoven's symphonies (see the percentages?). I do love the first symphony, always considered its andante and menuetto extremely enjoyable.
I don't like the 2nd, cannot stand its larghetto. 3rd and 4th I don't know very much. The 6th I've listened too many times and so on.
All attempts at judging someone else's taste seems so futile to me.. ???
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Don't forget, some people here revel in being odd. They think it makes them clever, or something. :-\
And don't forget, being a ministry of the obvious is always more comfortable.
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Mine are 7 6 4 in that order.
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What's odd in my choice?
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I do love the first symphony
That is what's wrong with it. ;D
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The First is eminently likeable.
That said, I find it hard to imagine preferring it to, well, a number of the other symphonies.
Having said that, though, if someone else finds that he does prefer it, well, how should enyone gainsay him?
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well, how should enyone gainsay him?
Because we can?
Also, after the 9th thread i'm more suspicious then ever about such 'odd' choices. It's hard to tell which is an honest preference and which is fueled by ulterior motives anymore...
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It's hard to tell which is an honest preference and which is fueled by ulterior motives anymore...
So that gives you some homework. Try to tell, eh?
In the meanwhile I'll give a listen to the First once again 8)
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Heck, if my co-worker had returned my Beethoven symphony box, I'd listen afresh to the First 8)
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What's odd in my choice?
(No, I meant that 1/5/7 are all odd numbers . . . . . . .)
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(No, I meant that 1/5/7 are all odd numbers . . . . . . .)
0:)
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Nice: 1, 2 & 6
Great: 3, 4, 5, 7, & 8
Epic: 9
Q
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Don't worry, Andrea. I rather like the 1st too - I never liked it very much until I heard Bernstein's (NYP) recording, where it sounds light and fresh, and quite perfect really... 8)
Still, it doesn't make my top 3. It fits perfectly in the top 9 though... ;D
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I just got Barenboim through the post, I am dying to put it in, but I can't as my father is sleeping... the joys of moving back home...
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Has anyone ever gone through a whole cycle in 1 day? I've been flirting with the idea but it seems to be exhausting!
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I just got Barenboim through the post, I am dying to put it in, but I can't as my father is sleeping... the joys of moving back home...
Sounds like you might need headphones.
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7, 6 and 4 in that order.
Dude! I swear I didnt read this before I replied but we said the same exact thing! Allright then!
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Has anyone ever gone through a whole cycle in 1 day? I've been flirting with the idea but it seems to be exhausting!
I have, and I would never do it again - decreasing marginal returns.
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Heck, if my co-worker had returned my Beethoven symphony box, I'd listen afresh to the First 8)
Hey! Wish was father to the event! (http://www.good-music-guide.com/community/index.php/topic,9.msg21385.html#msg21385)
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Hey! Wish was father to the event! (http://www.good-music-guide.com/community/index.php/topic,9.msg21385.html#msg21385)
Lemme guess, the friend is a GMG member? ::)
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Lemme guess, the friend is a GMG member? ::)
No, it was really happenstance. I had lent my Gewandhausorchester Leipzig / Kurt Masur box to a co-worker here. Every week, he would stop by and apologetically say that he would be sure to bring it back. Today, getting back to my desk after an invigorating walk, what do I find, but my Masur box!
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Tough call, but I voted for the Fourth, Sixth & Seventh.
7, 6 and 4 in that order.
Mine are 7 6 4 in that order.
This is getting scary - there are 4 of us now (never mind the order).
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Sounds like you might need headphones.
I have been meaning to get some for a while, but I hesistate as I am deaf in one ear, and don't really want the direct sound in my ear - I need to be careful with what I have.
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I have been meaning to get some for a while, but I hesistate as I am deaf in one ear, and don't really want the direct sound in my ear - I need to be careful with what I have.
Understood.
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Also, after the 9th thread i'm more suspicious then ever about such 'odd' choices. It's hard to tell which is an honest preference and which is fueled by ulterior motives anymore...
No doubt more feminist conspiricists out to destroy society!!!!!!!!!!1
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No doubt more feminist conspiricists out to destroy society!!!!!!!!!!1
Old Europe has been dead for half a century. There is no society to destroy, we already live in the dark ages. ;D
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Fourth, Sixth, Eighth.
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The voting has closed, and the results are as expected; the 9th is the runaway winner with the 1st and 2nd recognized as trash. :D
I thank you all for your participation!
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The voting has closed, and the results are as expected; the 9th is the runaway winner with the 1st and 2nd recognized as trash. :D
Ha!
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Ha!
Is that the only response I get after giving an insightful analysis of the voting results? This is a tough crowd.
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I would have voted for 8 / 6 / 4 (in that order)
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Awaiting the assault:
These are the "parts" of LvB's Symphonies that I adore:
#1: 1st and 4th Movements
#3,4, and 5: 1st movements in each
#6: Pretty much the whole damn thing
#9: 1st, 2nd, and 4th (I just can't seem to "get" the 3rd movement...a great cure for insomniac evenings for me!)
Andy's overall Symphonic LvB favorites: the 1st movement of the "Eroica", and the 4th movement of the 9th.
Just being honest. For me, the perfect Symphonies (all the way through) are Mozart's last six;Haydn's nos 96, 102, and 104; Shostakovich nos. 4 and 14; Mahler nos. 4, 5, and 9; Profokiev "Classical", Tchaikovsky's "Pathetique",and Mendelssohn's "Italian".
Beethoven for me was the master of Chamber Music, particularly the Piano Sonatas/Trios and of course the String Quartet.
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That's Rob's motivation - to get us to buy more music. ;D
Well, it certainly has worked. I just went to BRO and found some of Wyn Morris's Beethoven and immediately started salivating. Now I'll have to wait to hear it.
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Is that the only response I get after giving an insightful analysis of the voting results? This is a tough crowd.
:)
Well, as much as I like 1 & 2, how could I have put one of them in ahead of 9, for example. I think the poll starter was unnecessarily mean not letting us have up to 9 choices... :(
8)
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Is that the only response I get after giving an insightful analysis of the voting results? This is a tough crowd.
The first and second are far from trash. They are merely overshadowed by the mightier symphonies. Btw, I picked the general consensus favorites as my favorites, fwiw. That doesn't make the 3rd, 7th, and 9th the only great symphonies, nor does it make me a prophet.
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I think the poll starter was unnecessarily mean not letting us have up to 9 choices... :(
Yeah, the poll would be much more meaningful if we could cast 9 (or even 10) votes . . . . . .
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The first and second are far from trash. They are merely overshadowed by the mightier symphonies. Btw, I picked the general consensus favorites as my favorites, fwiw. That doesn't make the 3rd, 7th, and 9th the only great symphonies, nor does it make me a prophet.
I always thought that the 4th movement of the 1st was one of the best pieces that Mozart never wrote.
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:)
Well, as much as I like 1 & 2, how could I have put one of them in ahead of 9, for example. I think the poll starter was unnecessarily mean not letting us have up to 9 choices... :(
8)
I always thought that the 4th movement of the 1st was one of the best pieces that Mozart never wrote.
Yup. Number 1 made my top three cut.
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Fourth, Sixth, Eighth.
I have seen this pattern before!
...Ten Twelve Fourteen
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If I could have indicated individual movements...
Eroica, Opening Movement
4th, Second Movement
9th, Fourth Movement
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Well, at least the Eighth garnered more votes than than the First and Second together . . . .
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. . . the 9th is the runaway winner . . . .
Esteemed Don, far be it from me to precipitate upon a ceremonial march . . . .
But the Ninth edged the Seventh by only two votes (32 vs. 30); furthermore, it received votes from only a marginal majority of voters (32 out of 59). I'm not reading that as a runaway 8)
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I've changed my mind. 4, 6 and 8. That's today's vote.
On the serious side, 1 is the only one I have problems getting to. Inmaturity on my behalf I guess.
Mind you, 3 is outside any competition.
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Esteemed Don, far be it from me to precipitate upon a ceremonial march . . . .
But the Ninth edged the Seventh by only two votes (32 vs. 30); furthermore, it received votes from only a marginal majority of voters (32 out of 59). I'm not reading that as a runaway 8)
Perhaps I need reading glasses, but I don't see it as a runaway either. :-\
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Perhaps I need reading glasses, but I don't see it as a runaway either. :-\
True. We all have our favorite movements, right?
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Esteemed Don, far be it from me to precipitate upon a ceremonial march . . . .
But the Ninth edged the Seventh by only two votes (32 vs. 30); furthermore, it received votes from only a marginal majority of voters (32 out of 59). I'm not reading that as a runaway 8)
I thought it would be obvious that I was only kidding about the "runaway" and citing syms. 1 and 2 as trash. My apologies to anyone who took me seriously.
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No worries. (I didn't take it very seriously.)
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I thought it would be obvious that I was only kidding about the "runaway" and citing syms. 1 and 2 as trash. My apologies to anyone who took me seriously.
Funny thing, I got your joke when I read your post, but when Karl quoted it, I missed the joke.
It's been a hard month... :-\
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Dang; I hates being a joke-effacer! :)
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Three is thy number. No more. No less. Not two. Not four. Not nine. Thy number is three.
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Favorite Beethoven Symphonies???
THIS!
(http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/I/51WMT44YTTL._SS500_.jpg)
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12 Tone I saw that box over the weekend and I swear to Jesus, I thought of you. 0:)
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12 Tone I saw that box over the weekend and I [couldn't believe it], I thought of you. 0:)
Aww, thanks!
Here, George... only 30 bucks!
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Num 7 needs just 3 votes! Come on ppl!
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Num 7 needs just 3 votes! Come on ppl!
Voting closed three days ago, sweetie.