Fur Elise

[annick]

I am curious to know how "Fur Elise" was officially translated in English. In French, they call it "Letter to Elise", but in English it seems they simply use the German. Is this correct or can we refer to the piece as "For Elise"?
Also, technically, is Fur Elise a piano piece, a symphony?
Thanks for your help.

[Chris]

Using the original lanugage is the best way to go. That way, everyone always knows what everyone else is talking about, and there is no confusion. "For Elise" is probably the best English verion you could come up with.

And it is indeed a piano piece - a piano bagatelle, more specifically.

[annick]

Thank you Chris.
If you had to explain what a "piano bagatelle" is to a child, what would you say? I take it the word is French and means a small thing, a small folly? Is it a small piece then?

[Chris]

Exactly. A bagatelle is a short instrumental piece.

[annick]

Chris, thanks again, I have read your suggestions (in another correspondence on which pieces are "must haves" from Beethoven for a novice.
I would like to know if your selection would be any different if it were a 5-7 year old audience. I write stories to introduce children to classical music and am currently focusing on Beethoven. I wanted to include For Elise, the 7th, ... but need more.

[Chris]

Well, I don't remember what I suggested in the other thread, but I'm sure my suggestions for a child would be different than for an adult. The main problem is length. Most children of age 5 to 7 are not going to have the attention span to listen to a complete Beethoven symphony, for example.

You would probably need to use pieces - single movements or pieces of single movements - if you plan on keeping so young a child's attention with it.

Aside from what you have, I'd say the first movement of the 5th symphony and the second movement of piano sonata no. 8 would be good candidates, even possibly the entire movements. I remember being quite taken with them when I was about that age.

[annick]

Thank you. I was only going to include parts of pieces, for the very reason you mentioned. In your other message, you mentioned a much wider choice:
- all the symplonies
- the violin concerto
- Piano concertos 3,4, 5
- Overtures to Egmont, Coriolan and the Consecration of the House
- Archduke piano Trio Op. 97
- Sting Quartets Op. 18
- Piano Sonatas Op. 27 no2, Op 53, Op 57, Op 78, Op 81a, Op 109.
Obviously too much! I will listen to all and follow your advice.
Thanks again!

[Peter]

Originally posted by annick:
Chris, thanks again, I have read your suggestions (in another correspondence on which pieces are "must haves" from Beethoven for a novice.
I would like to know if your selection would be any different if it were a 5-7 year old audience. I write stories to introduce children to classical music and am currently focusing on Beethoven. I wanted to include For Elise, the 7th, ... but need more.

For children of that age I'd suggest Grandmother's minuet, Fur elise and from the piano sonatas the 2nd movement of Op.14 no.2 and the first movement of Op.26.

Orchestral excerpts such as 'Ode to Joy' or the Shepherd's Hymn from the 6th Symphony. The scherzo of the 7th symphony or the 2nd movement of the 8th and perhaps the finales of the 1st symphony, 2nd piano concerto, violin concerto and the final section of the choral fantasia. The overtures Ruin of Athens and King Stephen would also be appropiate as both are very tuneful, lively and fairly short!

So out of that lot if I had to choose just 3 I'd go for 1) Grandmother's minuet 2) Scherzo from the 7th symphony and 3) Overture to the Ruin of Athens.

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'Man know thyself'

[This message has been edited by Peter (edited September 18, 2003).]

[annick]

Thank you Peter,
Your response was indeed very helpful.
I have one more question. In my stories, one of the things I would like to do is explain the music to children. As you can imagine, The Four Seasons is always an easy pick. Is there any composition in Beethoven's repertoire that would lend itself more easily to images, ie with a particular theme (animals, seasons, love, or simply lots of varied instruments)?
Thank you always.

[Rod]

Originally posted by annick:
Thank you Peter,
Your response was indeed very helpful.
I have one more question. In my stories, one of the things I would like to do is explain the music to children. As you can imagine, The Four Seasons is always an easy pick. Is there any composition in Beethoven's repertoire that would lend itself more easily to images, ie with a particular theme (animals, seasons, love, or simply lots of varied instruments)?
Thank you always.

Beethoven's 6th (or 'Pastoral') Symphony is the obvious choice for you here.


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"If I were but of noble birth..." - Rod Corkin

[annick]

Thanks Rod. Is the story behind this piece explained anywhere?

[Grillparzer]

Ms. Annick,
Another piece for piano, not too long, very uptempo and enjoyable is called "Rage Over a Lost Penny", Opus 129. It is also not difficult to obtain and may suit you quite well.


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Adieu,
Franz

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[Peter]

Originally posted by annick:
Thanks Rod. Is the story behind this piece explained anywhere?

There is some information on the symphonies on this site.
www.kingsbarn.freeserve.co.uk/symphonies.html

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'Man know thyself'

[spaceray]

Don't forget Beethoven's Folksong settings.
I can recomend "The Elfin Fairies"WoO 154 no.1. also "The Sweetest Lad was Jamie" Op 108 No.5.These both have beautiful melodies and great stories in the lyrics.

[annick]

Thank you ALL for your kind help. It has given me a ton of material to work on.
Annick