Beethoven's "Irish" Symphony.

[Maurice Colgan]

Imagine my surprise when I first played Beethoven's glorious Seventh Symphony vinyl back in 1967 and heard Beethoven's distinctive Irish accent in the fourth movemen What a surprise!

An interesting view of it on this link..

http://links.jstor.org/sici?sici=002...3E2.0.CO%3B2-W

I really do love this symphony the beautiful Allegretto a favourite movement. I have heard many versions but always return to a particular Leiptzieg Gewandhaus orchestra recording.

[Peter]

That's very interesting Maurice - I only wish I could access the entire article. From the date perspective it is feasable Beethoven was influenced in the 7th symphony by the first set of folk songs Thomson sent him in 1809 - 25 Irish songs WoO152 & 26 Welsh songs WoO155.

[Maurice Colgan]

Peter, in his Beethoven biography (2003) Lewis Lockwood, writing of those folk songs states.

"One of them, the Irish song, "Save me from the grave and wise", to the tune of "Nora Creina" (wOo 154 No. 8) has a turn of phrase that strikingly resembles the main theme of the Seventh Symphony finale".

[Peter]

Well the problem with that is it dates from Feb 1813 and work on the 7th dates 1811-12, but I suppose it is possible Beethoven received WoO154/8 from Thomson prior to working on the finale.

[Maurice Colgan]

Irish minstrels toured Europe throughout history anyway, Beethoven may have actually heard the song independent of publishers. :-)

The foot tapping rhythm of the Beethoven Seventh finale is distincly Irish sounding. Those of us brought up listening to Irish songs have no trouble recognising the unmistakable sound, famous throughout the world.

http://irelandtoo.blogspot.com

[Michael]

I once heard the Chieftains playing the final movement of the 7th. If I hadn't known the symphony, I would have accepted it as a genuine piece of traditional Irish music.

[Maurice Colgan]

Michael, The Chieftains are fine musicians....even concerts in China!
Joanne Lumley on the BBC's Desert Island Discs just yesterday, chose Beethoven's Seventh.

She also spoke warmly of Elvis Presley.
If she could only choose the one piece of music it was the Beethoven. :-)

Classy lady!

Interesting news http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,...513783,00.html Shades of Graceland!

[Maurice Colgan]

Well the word is getting around now :-) August 3rd 2007 edition of "Ireland's Own".