Beethoven: 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 ...
...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 symphonies, the Fourth and Fifth Piano Concertos, to name the most important. With Napoleon heading up his war campaign all over ... Read review

Advantages: The rousing climax
Disadvantages: It classical so is not appreciated by the masses

...I remember the first time I heard Beethoven's 7th Symphony. It was awful. Didn't enjoy it all. Then through the perseverence of a friend, I was helped to appreciate the many aspects of this intricate piece of music. The different tunes all adding to the greater sum, the sense of something building up and how Beethoven has the incredible ability to go from the bottom of the scale to the very top in an instance. I have also found that is it imperative to play this piece at relatively high volume. For added effect turn off all lights and immerse yourself in the magic that is the 7th Symphony.... Read review

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Advantages: everything
Disadvantages: nothing

...van Beethoven: Allegretto (Symphony No. 6 in F major, Op. 68 "Pastoral") 6:41 7 Samuel Barber: Adagio for Strings op.11 6:20 8 Sergei V. Rachmaninoff: Adagio sostenuto (Piano Concerto No. 2 in C minor, Op. 18) 4:29 9 Max Bruch: Adagio (Violin Concerto No. 1 in G minor, Op. 26) 4:22 10 Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Andante (Piano Concerto No. 21 in C major, K.467) 5:18 11 Ludwig van Beethoven: Adagio sostenuto (Piano Sonata No. 14 in C sharp minor, Op. 27 No. 2 -"Moonlight") 3:54 12 John Williams: Schindler's List Theme 5:02 13 Erik Satie: Gymnopedie No. 1 3:31 14 Antonio Vivaldi: Largo (L'inverno (Le Quattro Stagioni)) 2:09 15 Thomas Newman: Any Other Name (from the film "American Beauty") 4:05 16 James Horner: My Heart Will Go On 4:21 Disc 2 77:06 1 Georg Friedrich Handel: Hallelujah Chorus... Read review

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

...brings a great sense of thankfulness from the country folk. This version makes for a nice breath of fresh air not apparent in many other Pastorals. There really is nothing more one needs to say. Symphony No.7 in A major, Op.92 The Seventh Symphony (my personal favorite among Beethoven's symphonies) receives a rather curious performance when it comes to this set. Whereas most of the other symphonies are quite fresh in inspiration, the Seventh seems to suffer from a lack of energy so important to this Beethoven's most rhythmic symphony. This is particularly noticeable in the Finale, where the tempo is surprisingly relaxed and particularly in the coda the excitement is practically killed off by this lack of energy. It could be that Norrington was still a little unsure of pulling it all out for this difficult work, making... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful