Beethoven's Second as the first incomprehensible work

[Chaszz]

James Levine, chief conductor of both the Metropolitan Opera and the Boston Symphony Orchestra, was interviewed today on local NYC public radio. He happened to mention that in their lifetimes, even Verdi and Brahms were accused of writing music that was confusing and difficult to understand. He said that in studying the scores he can understand why, even though they are perfectly acceptable now. He then said that the first music to be considered incomprehensible was the last movement of Beethoven's Second Symphony. I thought this remarkable, as the Second now seems like a lively, almost perfectly typical classical work. Does anyone by chance have a quote or two of the reaction to the Second when it was new? Thanks.

[This message has been edited by Chaszz (edited 07-08-2006).]

[Nightklavier]

I can't really find any quotes exactly, but this link contains much information about the second symphony and you might be able to find something here: http://www.raptusassociation.org/creation2_e.html

[Rod]

Originally posted by Nightklavier:
I can't really find any quotes exactly, but this link contains much information about the second symphony and you might be able to find something here: http://www.raptusassociation.org/creation2_e.html

You CAN find a quote concerning the finale of the Second Symphony at the Beethoven Reference Site! By coincidence I mentioned this quote here at the forum not long ago. Go to the 'Symphonies' page. I don't know why we bother (looks to the heavens..)

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


[This message has been edited by Rod (edited 07-08-2006).]