Saturday, April 2, 2016

B is for Beethoven

 
              I am participating in the Blogging from A to Z Challenge, and my theme this year is classical music. Check out the list of other participants by clicking here! Today, B is for Beethoven. I am sure you have heard of Ludwig van Beethoven. He has a lot of well-known pieces, and some of his most popular works include his Fifth and Ninth Symphonies, the Moonlight Sonata, and Für Elise. I thought I would include a couple pieces that you have probably heard, but maybe not quite as often. The featured selection is the second movement of Beethoven’s Piano Sonata No. 8 in C minor, Op. 13 , which is also known as the Sonata Pathétique, performed by Yundi Li.


 
   ·   Ludwig van Beethoven was a German composer who lived from 1770 to 1827.
   ·   Much of his earlier work was influenced by his predecessors, Mozart and Haydn. The Sonata Pathétique was composed during that early period.
   ·   He has nine symphonies, one opera, 32 piano sonatas, 16 string quartets, and many other works.

   ·   Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony, which includes the famous “Ode to Joy” chorus, was the first major symphony to include choral voices.
   ·   Beethoven began to suffer hearing loss in his late 20s and was almost totally deaf by the age of 44.
   ·   His birthplace in the city of Bonn is now the location of the Beethoven House museum. Bonn also holds an annual music festival called Beethovenfest.



Billy Joel used the melody from today’s selection in the chorus of his song, "This Night." I have attempted to play the 2nd movement on the piano before, let’s just say that my Pathétique was pathetic.
Sources:
http://www.classicfm.com/composers/beethoven/


For this challenge, I’m keeping a playlist of the videos I’m using plus some extras for anyone who wants to hear more. I will update with the latest letter each day. The extra today is Beethoven’s beautiful Symphony No. 7, 2nd Movement: Allegretto played by the Wilfred Symphony Orchestra. I was mesmerized by the way this video was animated and I intended to use it as the featured selection, but I decided to go with something shorter. If you have the time, I recommend it!


 
I chose Beethoven for B, but there are two other composers I’m using with last names that start with B. There are also at least two composers who have first and last names that both start with B, do you know who they are? Answer on Monday.


29 comments:

  1. I don't know the answer to your question; I'm thinking my husband might :) I'll have to remember to ask him. I always admired the fact that Beethoven kept working on music even with his hearing loss.

    betty

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    1. Betty, it amazes me that he kept at it, I wonder what it all sounded like in his mind.

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  2. This was a beautiful way to wake up this morning. Thanks for sharing.

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    1. You're welcome, Susan. I love listening to Beethoven!

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  3. I can't imagine creating music when one is deaf. His music is genius.

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    1. Sandra, I can't imagine it either, Beethoven was brilliant!

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  4. Great post! I had to enlist help from my husband to come up with the third B composer. :) @abetterjulie from www.persephoneknits.blogspot.com

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  5. lovely music- what a great way to do the A-Z and at the same time educating ....tanks!

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    1. oooops,...meant to say "Thanks"

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    2. Kathe, lol :) You're welcome, it has been educational for me, too. Learning more about the composers has been fun!

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  6. I can only think of one other with last name that starts with B, so I'm curious... Guess I'll find out on Monday!

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    1. Jen, I look forward to sharing the answers :)

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  7. He is my favourite and the 7th is one of my favourites as well. He amazes me because of what he composed and many of his biggest pieces was done when he was deaf. Have you ever seen Immortal Beloved? I love this film and Gary Oldman plays Beethoven brilliantly.

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    1. Birgit, I have not seen Immortal Beloved, but the pictures and movie descriptions I came across makes me want to add it to my must-watch list.

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  8. Beethovenfest - funny!
    Trans Siberian Orchestra has an album called Beethoven's Last Night that is a dedication to him. Rock style, of course.

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    1. Alex, TSO rocks! I did not know they had a Beethoven album. My favorites are Wish Liszt and Wizards of Winter :)

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  9. Bach, Brahms? My guess, all great composers. Amazing doesn't come close to describing the talent of any of these men! Classical Gas, yeah, I've heard it too. Oh, dear!

    Happy A to Z day 2! Ninga Minion @YolandaRenee from
    Defending The Pen
    Parallels
    Murderous Imaginings


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    1. Yolanda, you got those two right, and there are actually two more I will share with my C post. There really are no words to describe the beauty and the genius of these composers!

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  10. Hello from A to Z. I remember playing Beethoven pieces when I took piano lessons back in the day. A number of his songs are true classics.

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    1. Cynthia, Beethoven does have a lot of familiar piano pieces :)

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  11. I've always been fascinated by Beethoven--a deaf composer seemed impossible.

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  12. I bet Bach is one of those composers!

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  13. It's amazing that one of the best composers of all time was deaf!

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  14. I've been a bit out of touch with reading music. I have sheet music for Moonlight Sonata that I'm working through slowly...
    Fur Elise is a well-known favorite!
    Writer In Transit

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    1. Michelle, I am very slow with reading music. I usually play by ear or use piano tutorial apps and videos. I can play the beginning of Fur Elise :)

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