Beethoven: Choral Symphony

Advantages: A new way to hear Beethoven
Disadvantages: Surpassed by some later period cycles

...INTRODUCTION Beethoven's nine symphonies cover one of the major cornerstones of symphonic literature along with the likes of Haydn, Brahms and Sibelius. Beethoven was born in turbulent times when the common people's dissatisfaction toward the ruling monarchs in Europe was reaching new heights which finally culminated in the French Revolution in 1789. Against this came Beethoven, who was born into a family of musicians in Bonn in 1770. His father wanted to coin in on the child prodigy market created by Mozart whose father had exploited his genius in a similar way. But Beethoven was no Mozart. He wasn't born a child progidy and his performing skills were nowhere near as natural as they were with Mozart. Still he made rapid progress as a piano virtuoso and an amateur composer. He was even supposed to take some lessons with Mozart in Wien... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: Choral Symphony
Disadvantages: Nothing

...On the first time, The Nineth Symphony of Beethoven is kwoning like "Choral Symphony" because in the foursth and the last movement it is singing by a Tenor, Baritone, Soprano and Messo Soprano Voices with a Choral Voices that they are singing in another way the "joy song". This symphony (the last one) of Beethoven was released the May 7th of 1821 when he was a deaf person, so he never could listen his composition years at 3 or 4 years after Beethoven died. So it was his last composition, been for me the best compousers. In the first movement of this Symphony "Allegro ma non troppo" begining with the introduction of wind instrument like oboe and the violas and violin continues the music and then continues with this music specially the wind instrument with a hard musical notes that it is characteristic of this 15 minutes music. In... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: Outstanding music on period instruments
Disadvantages: Swaping C.D'S in music player.

...fortunate to have attended one of the original performances. The works would have been played in a mixed programme of both vocal and instrumental works. This allowed for a rich cross pollination of ideas from theatre. Beethoven is using what he was provided with from his predecessors and making each symphony a drama. The London Classical Players have been in many performances both here and abroad of music in period form. They have performed works by Handel, Bach, Mozart, Haydn and Schubert. This has been well received by the public. The Schutz Choir of London started life in 1962, and carried out 10 years research into choral works. They became professional in 1973 and broke new ground in Baroque music. With Sir Roger they have performed works by Monteverdi, Bach, Handel, and Mozart. Haydn and Schubert. The choir has toured... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful