Best of Beethoven

[nexla]

What is the best that Beethoven did?How would look like his top 10?

[Margaretha]

Their is no possible answer to your question. Today I would like to recommend Symphony No.7.

[nexla]

Hi Margaretha!I know that there is no unique and objective answer to my question,but everyone has his own list of Beethoven favorites.Maybe my question was a little vague,I admit it.For me symphonie No.9 is brilliant masterpiece.

[lvbfanatic]

The all time best beethoven work must be the Missa Solemnis Op 123 because of its absolutely massive range of pure Beethoven musical expression. No other work by Beethoven comes anywhere near the fully unthrottled blast of the MS Gloria nor the deeply mystical spirituality of the Agnus Dei.

The very first movement of Beethoven's 9th symphony would then be my choice for 2nd place because the music's power and cadence bring into focus the opening chapter of Genesis... "In the beginning..." ... This is a bit of music which could have easily been attached to the MS but which instead is the massive foundation supprot of the 9th.

I would choose the Triple Concerto for 3rd place. It is an exquisite, skilfully woven, conversation between a cello, violin, piano and thudering orchestra, never once descending into maudlin blubbering.

The 4th Piano Concerto is the fourth place entry in my hypothetical list of the top 10 favourites. From the opening piano notes to the crescendos of the orchestra, the work travels through many deep passages in Beethoven's souls and ultimately invites you join in the happy dance of the last movement.

The 5th Symphony would be my fifth choice. This work is very well known by one and all and so needs very little explanation.

The 3rd Piano and Cello Sonata would be my 6th place favourite choice. Its very silent opening notes are uncannily similar to the full orchestral thunderous opening of the last movement of the 5th symphony. There's very little doubt in my mind that the creative embers of the 5th symphony wound up being spilled onto the pristine pages of the the 3rd Sonata for Piano and Cello.

The 32nd piano sonata is in 7th place and makes this top 10 list because of its inexorable passage from opening announcements into the dark closing notes of the Arietta.

In 8th place I would select the Grosse Fugue Op 133. Originally closing the 13th String Quartet it was found too hard to be heard by the audiences of the time and so was unhappily replaced by a rather flighty light hearted finishing movement. However, the Grosse Fugue was such an advanced musical child that even today it remains timeless and noone can indicate to which musical times it belongs.

*A Calm Sea and a Prosperous Voyage* would be my 9th place choice.

And for 10th place, my pick is the Opus 135, otherwise known as the very last Sting Quartet, or the very last work with an Opus number. The use of the pizicato to end this work is done with such finality as to almost make one hear Beethoven say to us "Goodbye and Good Luck".

I hope you enjoy this list.



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A Calm Sea and A Prosperous Voyage

[nexla]

Great!!!Many thanks.This is just what I had in mind when I started this topic.I would like as much as possible people to participate with their own lists.This may result in Beethoven all-times top 10.

[Peter]

Originally posted by nexla:
What is the best that Beethoven did?How would look like his top 10?

How about the top 200? Even then my choices would be different every day - such is the wealth of invention and creativity Beethoven left us. However for me right at the top I would place his last quartets and sonatas, Missa Solemnis and 9th symphony.

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'Man know thyself'

[nexla]

I agree Peter.Every man is different,and that is the beauty.