Favorite Beethoven Symphony?

[joeybee12]

I've got a lot to do around home today, so I'm playing them in order. I guess experts coinsider the 9th to be his masterpiece, but I'm going with the 6th.

[gator_in_Ontario]

1. Eroica

[terrya]

2. Symphony No. 2

Terry

[joeybee12]

3. I'm on that one right now--they're all wonderful

It's been a while since I pulled this compilation out--shame on me!!!

[Benhurst]

4. I can't choose between 3, 6 & 9. You've got me playing them

all again now, so who knows? I may choose them all. Thanks for prompting me to listen to them today.

[joeybee12]

6. You're welcome!

I'll probably play them all again tomorrow, too, especially if it snows like they're predicting!

[HawkerHurricane]

5. Wellington's Victory

Any classical piece that needs a full orchastra, two marching bands, 50 muskets and 3 cannon can't be all bad...

[BiggJawn]

7. Have you ever heard the Mecury "Living Stereo" release?

Awesome.The producers took pains to get Charleville muskets and "Brown Bess" muskets because they knew a .69 sounded different than a .75...They put it together about the same time they did the "1812" with cannon and carrilon.

I might have to put them both on today....:evilgrin:

[HawkerHurricane]

9. I believe that's the one I have...

with the 1812 overture on the other side...

[BiggJawn]

14. Yep, that's the one....

I also have the "1812" on it's own disc with a commentary by Deems Taylor (big voice talent from the 40-50's) on the other side explaining how they nmade the recording.

[BiggJawn]

8. 5th, 6th, 7th, and the 9th...

I can have more than ONE fav, can't I?

[joeybee12]

11. Of course! But the poll will only let you pick one!

As I listen to them now, I can see your dilemma!

[VelmaD]

10. I ABSOLUTLELY cannot pick one

I love listening to the 2nd and 4th movement of the 7th symphony - they're fast and intricate and have great lines for trombone/french horn.

But then there's the last movement of the 9th...when the Ode to Joy starts I end up in tears every time.

But then I adore the 6th. It's my favorite part of the original Fantasia and it has an even more personal connection for me in that I had one of the scenes from that part of the movie put permanently on my body for my first tattoo. :-)

[joeybee12]

12. Hah! In George Bush's Amerika you will choose between right and

wrong, between good and evil, and....oh, never mind.

Wonder if German music will be banned now that French Fries are/

[Snow]

13. I like everything from the 6th on about equally, depends on mood,

but I'd have to flip a coin between 7th and 9th. The 1st starts so oddly I never have figured it out. I know the 9th very well, having sung it numerous occassions, so I get picky about how it's performed. The prestissimo at the end means go really fast, dammit - don't drag your butt. And if your choir can't handle it, get a new choir! (you're probably tring to do it with too big a choir).

[Parrcrow]

15. the 7th

I also am partial to Eroica (3rd) Pastoral (6th) and of course the glorious Choral (9th). Nevertheless the 7th has always been my particular favourite

[fortyfeetunder]

16. They ARE like a certain brand of chips

can't play just one....

I love the 7th, but the 4th and the 9th are just as fun.

[GoddessOfGuinness]

17. I can't believe nobody listed 8!

I especially love the sarcasm of the Allegretto Scherzando. :no pity:

[hayu_lol]

18. They are all magnificent...

As a retired hornist however, I do favor the Eroica. That isnt to say that there isnt lots of horn work in all the symphonies...there certainly is. Given the problems of the horn in Beethoven's day, its a wonder he wrote as much for them as he did.

[trogdor]

21. Horns can be overpowering.

Beethoven himself said he didn't write loud music. He prescribed an orchestra of at least sixty pieces to play it properly.

My fave? The Sixth, naturally, but I now have the Third playing in my ear.

[Bundbuster]

19. Eroica

If you let me take only one musical piece to the desert island, it would be Sym. #3, John Eliot Gardiner conducting The Revolutionary & Romantic Orchestra (all 9 symphonies set).

[qb]

20. No. 9

The soprano's last high note is pure ecstasy.

22. the "drunken" 7th

I read that critics at the time accused Beethoven of being drunk when he wrote it, because, I guess, it's so wild.

BbWahahah!:evilgrin: