Beethoven: Piano Concerto No 1; Symphony No 7

Advantages: One of Beethoven's finest symphonies.
Disadvantages: None from me, but some will say "classical music is boring".

...THE END OF AN ERA 1812 can be seen as the markerpoint where Beethoven's middle-period came to an end and his late-period was ushered in. Beethoven's middle-period saw the composer at his most creative high with one masterpiece following the other in rapid succession. The beginning of this period can roughly be timed as starting in 1803 with the appearance of the Third Symphony "Eroica" and the "Kreutzer" sonata. These two works signalled Beethoven distinctly leaving the 18th century Classicism of Haydn and Mozart behind him and taking on a completely new and individual voice. This individuality became more and more apparent in the works that followed: the "Waldstein" and "Appassionata" piano sonatas, the "Razumovski" quartets, the Violin Concerto, the three last cello sonatas, the "Archduke" piano trio, Fidelio, the Fifth and Sixth... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: does leave skin smooth and soft
Disadvantages: would not rate it for the over 50's

...I bought this product, because at 68 years of age, I thought I could do with all the help possible. I must admit after using it now for the last 6 weeks, my skin is very soft and smooth, but it has not evened out my skin colour (which is still the "apple" cheeks I have had since I was a kid (bright red). However it has helped with the under eye lines and given me a smoother look, also the lines from the nose to mouth have also been smoothed out. It does go on very easily and is absorbs into the skin very well, although I have a sensitive skin, I have not experienced any problems, no skin flaking or becoming too greasy. Would not say that it is the "wonder" product that we have been led to believe, but I will continue to use it until it runs out - will then decide whether to buy more or not. I am sure that it must work for some... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

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