Kites rise highest against the wind - not with it.. (Winston Churchill)
Kites rise highest against the wind - not with it.. (Winston Churchill)
Member since:07.12.2002
Reviews:261
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I studied Beethoven as an Open University course leading to a Degree in Music which I achieved in 2002. My admiration of Beethoven is immense. The sixth symphony has to be one of all time favourites: an homage to the countryside.
The Composer
Beethoven has to be the most dynamic and original of all composers. His work influenced and inspired so many orchestral works that followed.
He was born in Bonn in Western Germany in 1770. It was while he was in his twenties that he first became aware of his hearing problems. When he was told that the condition could not be cured, he understandibly fell into a deep depression.
Thankfully he came through and began to explore new approaches to compositional techniques.
Both the Fifth and Sixth Symphonies are large scale performances lastly for approximately 4o minutes each. They were both performed for the first time in 1808 for Beethoven's benefit concert in Vienna.
Symphony no 5 in C minor 1st Movement: Allegro con brio 2nd Movement: Andante con moto 3rd Movement: Allegro 4th Movement: Allegro
The period when these symphonies were composed is known as Beethoven's heroic period. The fifth sympony is probably the most characteristic of this phase: Darkness defeated by light. It opens with a dramatic four-note motif that is repeated threatenly through the first movement. (The motif was used by the allies during WW2 as a Victory symbol) The second movement is slower and more lyrical. The tempo of the short third movement speeds up to lead into the triumphal finale.
Symphony no 6 in F major 1st Movement: Allegro ma non troppo Awakening of cheefulfeelings upon arrival in the country 2nd Movement: Andant molto mosso Scene by the brook 3rd Movement: Allegro Merry gathering of country folk 4th Movement: Allegro Thunderstorm 5th Movement: Allegretto Shepherd's song: Happy and thankfulfeelings after the storm
Beethoven himself called this the "Pastoral Symphony". The symphony was representitive of Beethoven's love of the country. He intended the music to evoke feelings rather than to imitate nature although there are some overt imitations contained within the piece. There are clear bird calls within the second movement and a dramatic thunder storm in the fourth. In his sixth symphony, Beethoven moves away from tradition adding an extra movemnet to the convential four movements of a symphony.
The Conductor
Herbert Von Karajan was born in Salzberg in 1908. He was the principal conductor of the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra from 1955 to his death in 1989.
The performers
Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra Violins i, Violins ii, Viola, Cellos, Double Basses, Flutes, Oboes, Clarinets, Bassoons, Horns, Trumpets, Trombones, Timpani
Released
October 18th 1999
Cost
Approximately £4.99
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I love Beethoven. My friends think i'm odd for my love of the classical music, since i'm young, but there's nothing more peaceful than lazing around listening to orchestras. It even makes housework a pleasure :)
salem_witch 04.05.2004 18:10
Well written but not for me!
MAFARRIMOND 04.05.2004 09:24
I am not trying to convert anyone to listening to classical music just simply making people aware of and appreciate it. Maureen
![Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra - Herbert Von Karajan - Beethoven Symphony Nos. 4 And 5 [DVD] [1982]](http://picnicb.ciao.com/uk/83404133.jpg "Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra - Herbert Von Karajan - Beethoven Symphony Nos. 4 And 5 [DVD] [1982]")
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