Back after a long absence, in between other writing and musical activities.
Back after a long absence, in between other writing and musical activities.
Member since:13.07.2000
Reviews:260
Members who trust:46
Beethoven's nine symphonies are a complete musical universe of their own. Some of them have naturally impinged on public consciousness more than others. The opening bars of the 5th vied for years with the finale to Tchaikovsky's "1812 Overture" as probably the most famous classical piece ever until the recent vogue for Vivaldi's "Four Seasons", while the 6th ("Pastoral") is so full of light and shade, so many little twists of unforgettable melody, that it has rightly never gone out of fashion; and part of the 9th ("Choral") has lived on in various reincarnations. Just listen to the Seekers' "Emerald City" (1967) and Rainbow's "Difficult To Cure" (1981), to take but two examples. As a personal opinion, I find the 6th the most enjoyable to listen to right through; I was partly brought up on it as a child, and for me it has never lost its magic. But as regards single movements, nothing can compare with the Scherzo Allegro Vivace from the 3rd, in my view the most exhilarating, uplifting piece of classical music ever. Definitely one to turn up to maximum volume as long as nobody else is near enough to protest! But taste is such a personal thing, and there are marvellous little touches in all nine. All of them have a wonderful sense of light and shade; listen to how the grandiose, solemn moods and funeral marches alternate with spry, lively movements that can hardly fail to appeal. The range of Beethoven symphonies available on CD is vast, as you would expect, with various combinations of two on single CDs, or the lot, usually on 5-CD sets. The price differential of the latter, from budget to deluxe, is astonishing. Any megastore classical department, or a brief look at Amazon's website, will show you that you can pay less than £20 or more than £70. Unless you're an impeccably-informed connoisseur, and I for one am not, I'd recommend going for one of the budget-priced ones; it's the same music, after all, though the more expensive ones are bound to have better booklets and packaging. Were there only nine symphonies, you may ask. Nine and a bit, actually. There is also a 'reconstructed' first movement from what scholars have assumed to be his notes and sketches for a 10th, recorded in 1988. Once you've heard the nine, it's worth seeking out.
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