Beethoven Symphonies HIP

[Karl Henning]

I wonder if most composers of the 18th & 19th century wouldn't in fact have preferred more modern performances had it been available. I can, for example, easily imagine Beethoven preferring Klemperer's version of the Eroica to what would only amount to an "emulation" of what he would have heard.

Well, we're both being sepculative, of course.  But I can as easily imagine Beethoven thinking "Gott im Himmel, what does that poncey git think he's doing to my music??!!" on hearing syrupified textures and wilful bunny-hops of tempo.

[jlaurson]

I can easily imagine Beethoven in purple stockings, bending over while wearing bunny ear-muffs, scrubbing the kitchen floor with two massive potatoes, furiously breaking wind while complaining about the shambles that the Danish Navy was in and their ineptitude at the Battle of Anholt and suggesting that "Mathilde von Guise" and "La Cambiale di Matrimonio" were dreck and that he didn't, in any case, give a damn about Athens and it might as well fall into ruins, as far he was concerned.

Then again, that might be just because of my peculiar imagination.

[Karl Henning]

You can imagine that.  But it cannot be easy.

[Gurn Blanston]

You can imagine that.  But it cannot be easy.

You gotta admit, it does seem authentic.

[max]

Well, we're both being sepculative, of course.  But I can as easily imagine Beethoven thinking "Gott im Himmel, what does that poncey git think he's doing to my music??!!" on hearing syrupified textures and wilful bunny-hops of tempo.

I never thought of Klemperer as a pancake mix kind of guy as was more in the nature of late Karajan. All I'm saying is THEN they wouldn't have heard the kind of performances available today and so we can't really say what they would have preferred. Even if Beethoven had retained perfect hearing  I'm reasonably sure he would have preferred a modern concert grand for the piano concertos & sonatas.

Regardless of HIP or not, it's the performance that counts.

Also Beethoven would not have said Gott im Himmel. He would have used a few choice five and six letter words instead because everything in Deutsch is longer including insults.
   

[Karl Henning]

Regardless of HIP or not, it's the performance that counts.

Certainly.

And Beethoven might not have said Gott im Himmel.  But it's easy for me to imagine he might have

[Pat B]

Oh good, this argument again.

[max]

Certainly.

And Beethoven might not have said Gott im Himmel.  But it's easy for me to imagine he might have

Yes! It is easier to imagine but in reality it would have sounded more like one of the last days of Hitler rant.

[Karl Henning]

You see, I want to imagine LvB's personality milder than it probably was.

[Gurn Blanston]

Oh good, this argument again.

All I can say is; listen to Klemp if you want, don't make yourself feel better by imagining Beethoven would have agreed with you.   

[Karl Henning]

All I can say is; listen to Klemp if you want, don't make yourself feel better by imagining Beethoven would have agreed with you.   

Because, after all, that is the path which, irresponsibly trod, leads to abominations like The Pink Harp fondly imagining that he knows what music of our day Debussy would and would not like          0:)

[Brian]

You see, I want to imagine LvB's personality milder than it probably was.

But then I remember the story in Maynard Solomon, about how his friend bribed a waitress to flirt with LvB, and LvB punched her in the face.

[jlaurson]

But then I remember the story in Maynard Solomon, about how his friend bribed a waitress to flirt with LvB, and LvB punched her in the face.

The story is confirmed by Schindler to have happened just so... except, however, that he suggests it wasn't a punch, and it wasn't her face.

[Karl Henning]

But then I remember the story in Maynard Solomon, about how his friend bribed a waitress to flirt with LvB, and LvB punched her in the face.

The story is confirmed by Schindler to have happened just so... except, however, that he suggests it wasn't a punch, and it wasn't her face.

I know there are limits

[max]

But then I remember the story in Maynard Solomon, about how his friend bribed a waitress to flirt with LvB, and LvB punched her in the face.

Maybe the "piano lessons" didn't go well

[Brahmsian]

I never thought of Klemperer as a pancake mix kind of guy as was more in the nature of late Karajan.

I personally think Ludwig loved hearty, thick, buckwheat pancakes.  Well, I do. 

[Ken B]

I can easily imagine Beethoven in purple stockings, bending over while wearing bunny ear-muffs, scrubbing the kitchen floor with two massive potatoes, furiously breaking wind while complaining about the shambles that the Danish Navy was in and their ineptitude at the Battle of Anholt and suggesting that "Mathilde von Guise" and "La Cambiale di Matrimonio" were dreck and that he didn't, in any case, give a damn about Athens and it might as well fall into ruins, as far he was concerned.

Then again, that might be just because of my peculiar imagination.

You can imagine that.  But it cannot be easy.

Easy no. Hot, yes.

[Karl Henning]

I personally think Ludwig loved hearty, thick, buckwheat pancakes.  Well, I do. 

I personally thnk that Ludwig loved raw P.E.I. oysters with a dash of tabasco, purple cow frozen yoghurt, and grilled Portuguese sweetbread.

But I doubt he liked them all together . . . .

[max]

I personally thnk that Ludwig loved raw P.E.I. oysters with a dash of tabasco, purple cow frozen yoghurt, and grilled Portuguese sweetbread.

But I doubt he liked them all together . . . .

...and if he didn't like it, the waiter got it re-served to him in a manner where he could immediately taste it's short comings.

[Ken B]

...and if he didn't like it, the waiter got it re-served to him in a manner where he could immediately taste it's short comings.

Okay, now you're just speculating.