Part 2 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rOw0R03BuCE&playnext=1&list=PL8C10BD75EE56E0BE&index=5
The 9th Symphony of Beethoven is a truly interesting case. I think your average Joe knows that Ode to Joy is Beethoven Nine. The unfortunate thing is it seems most people think that IS the entire symphony, oddly enough that chorale theme is the basis for the majority of the final movement alone - granted, the Finale is perhaps the most famous movement in all of music. Having said that, I think the 4th and final movement tends to dwarf the beauty of the others, which is why I would like to tip my hat at the lovely third movement.
Factoids:
- Beethoven is widely regarded as the finest symphonist of all time.
- His Third, Fifth, and Ninth symphonies each have a place in the discussion of the finest crafted symphonies ever written.
- This work was groundbreaking as it was the first symphony to use voices.
- Anyone who has ever sung this work will attest that the choral writing is very symphonic, often featuring disjunct leaps and difficult resolutions.
- One of the most important elements of music is contrast.
- Given the fiery opening of the final movement, it seems the third movement is a good place for something slow and lyrical.
- This was a standard move by Beethoven, placing the slow movement third, not second as was traditional.
- The movement itself is a classic theme and variation.
- In a theme and variation, the initial theme is presented.
- After the theme is first heard, it is repeated, but elements such as melody, rhythm, pitch, orchestration, etc. are modified.
- On a personal note, I think the wind writing, especially for clarinet is truly stunning.
- For all you classical music fans out there it is difficult to miss the resemblence to the slow movement of Beethoven's Pathetique Sonata, found here:
- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yyelz5Q0Z9w
Have a good one!
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