Opferlied, Op. 121b

[DavidO]

If more people listened to Opferlied Op. 121b:
http://download.yousendit.com/E87B0E0558390735

there would be peace on the Earth.
http://img100.imageshack.us/my.php?i...rlied018cf.jpg http://img80.imageshack.us/my.php?im...rlied027sx.jpg http://img80.imageshack.us/my.php?im...rlied032yv.jpg http://img100.imageshack.us/my.php?i...rlied048lb.jpg http://img80.imageshack.us/my.php?im...rlied054tu.jpg http://img80.imageshack.us/my.php?im...rlied069uc.jpg http://img80.imageshack.us/my.php?im...rlied077xh.jpg http://img136.imageshack.us/my.php?i...rlied083pb.jpg http://img140.imageshack.us/my.php?i...rlied092jr.jpg http://img140.imageshack.us/my.php?i...rlied107xj.jpg

Matthisson's poem attracted Beethoven throughout his lifetime; it was a constant source of inspiration. Over a thirty-year period the Big Kahuna returned to it to complete four different settings. The final
line of the poem--das Schöne zu dem Guten--provided a motto that Beethoven kept on his work desk. I am sharing a recording of this song (with the music score in its piano & vocal reduction) in the hopes of spreading world peace & making our humble Beethoven forum here an even more tranquil, idyllic hangout.

Seriously, though, this song makes my heart weep & my spine tingle. I never tire of listening to this magnificent setting. I realize this composition is conventional (some might even consider it reactionary) & doesn't push formalistic or tonal envelopes. But nevertheless there is such beauty here that one can only fall on one's knees & weep before one's 3-foot-by-5-foot poster of Louis v B., & thank him profusely.

[Luis Mariano]

Complete score:
http://www.dlib.indiana.edu/variatio...rge/index.html

[Rod]

Originally posted by DavidO:
If more people listened to Opferlied Op. 121b there would be peace on the Earth.

I can't argue with that, a piece in Beethoven's typical simple but profound late style, but there are precious few recordings on general release and I suspect is is rarely if ever performed in concert. So we'll have to wait for the fighting to stop. I think we had it as an mp3 at this site a long time ago, so we've done our bit for world peace.


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

[Rutradelusasa]

Originally posted by Rod:
I can't argue with that, a piece in Beethoven's typical simple but profound late style, but there are precious few recordings on general release and I suspect is is rarely if ever performed in concert. So we'll have to wait for the fighting to stop. I think we had it as an mp3 at this site a long time ago, so we've done our bit for world peace.

Yes, we did. And one can't be thankful enough, not only to the site but to Beethoven as well.



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"Wer ein holdes weib errugen..."