Beethoven...is he any good...

Hi Mongo,

'Is Beethoven any good' --- Yes !!

If you want to get started with Beethoven it is useful to know that he changed his style over the course of his life

Early Beethoven
Middle Beethoven
Late Beethoven

His late stuff some people say is not even music [but nowadays most people disagree].

The first Beethoven symphony I heard was no.6 [Pastoral] and I still don't like it. But lots of people rave over it. It's a metter of taste.

So .. [and in my view ..] try

Synphony 5
Symphony 7
Synphony 3

and for piano ..

Appassionata sonata
Moonlight sonata

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By the way -- what do you like in Bach ? If you like the Goldberg variations you will [probably] like Beethovens Diabelli variations ; if you like Bach's cantatas I can't advise you.

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Beethoven has a lot of music -- don't give up it you don't like the first few pieces you hear.



James

quote:

Originally posted by mikeeschman:
Mongo, I wouldn't worry too much about chronology, you can sort that out later.

If I was going to tackle Mozart for the first time, and knew what I know now, I would buy a DVD of "The Magic Flute" and watch it many times.

One of Mozart's most endearing traits is his ability to write the most beautiful melodies you will ever hear. That is nowhere more apparent than in "The Magic Flute".

The first Beethoven Symphony to get attention should be the third, the "Eroica". That's the one that changed music forever.

Wish we lived closer. I have the feeling you would be fun to explore with.

Good luck and continue having a great time!

Hi Mike. I agree it might be fun to explore all of this with someone else. No one I know has the slightest interest in classical of any kind, in fact I get chastised for my new found taste in some quarters .

Still, it's been a long time since i found myself this excited by finding new music.

quote:

Originally posted by GFFJ:
Some great music - before Beethoven - may be found among the works of Haydn.

I will post a few pointers tomorrow for you. As well as a few ideas to find from Mozart. And of course from Bach's contemporary Handel ...

ATB from George

Hi George. I'm happy we are still speaking(as it were). I'd be delighted for some Haydn and Handel pointers if you would.

I now have an excellent, if small, collection of Bach started by your suggestions and this is more or less monopolising my cd player at present.

Dear Paul.

It is my way to try to rub along in any case. And you did not call me a half-wit!

Among Haydn's great and accessible works perhaps a good starting point would be with the Trumpet Concerto in E Flat. I have yet to come across a recording of this that was bad! Buy with conficence.

Consider the 12 London Symphonies - usually on four CDs - which are numbered 93 to 104. When you get them we can start a thread! The Philips set with Colin Davis is a splendid entrance way to this music.

From Mozart, consider a Piano Concerto or three! Nos 20 to 24 are all easy to get on with and are as contrasted as you would expect from another genius like Mozart.

From Handel consider the Concerti Grossi Opus Six, which set of twelve works is often found in coupling with the Opus Three set of six shorter ones. In this I recommend a grand first buy is that on DG Archive from Trevor Pinnock! There are some quite dull recordings of these, so stick with Pinnock for the start of your Handel adventure.

I would suggest that if you can get over the content, that the Messiah is one of the greatest choral works of all time and as joyful as it is contrasted with sadness! Pinnock's recording has the work's measure as well in my view. No gimmicks - just splendid musicianship and a very fine recording from DG Archive.

Let me know how you get along in any case!

ATB from George

Mongo,

I suggest Charles Mackerras Beethoven Nine Symphonies [Liverpool Philharmonic] .. inexpensive but very good ...

James