Beethoven Sonata Controversy Sparked by Singer Greg Cherone

[Richard_Saunders]

One might think setting your own lyrics to a piano
sonata by Ludwig Van Beethoven almost sacrilegious.
However, Boston singer-songwriter Greg Cherone
has a different point of view. “It was a lyrical place
the music transported me to.” He says, of his variation
recorded with piano virtuoso Nelson Araujo.
“I don’t see what all the fuss is about. It’s just an interpretation.
Some will appreciate. Others will dismiss. That’s entirely up to the listener.”

If you would like to hear “Treasured Mem‘ries,”
go to: http://myspace.com/gregcherone

[Roehre]

One might think setting your own lyrics to a piano
sonata by Ludwig Van Beethoven almost sacrilegious.
However, Boston singer-songwriter Greg Cherone
has a different point of view. “It was a lyrical place
the music transported me to.” He says, of his variation
recorded with piano virtuoso Nelson Araujo.
“I don’t see what all the fuss is about. It’s just an interpretation.
Some will appreciate. Others will dismiss. That’s entirely up to the listener.”

If you would like to hear “Treasured Mem‘ries,”
go to: http://myspace.com/gregcherone

He is good(?) company: in the mid nineteenth century such songs were not uncommon. Friedrich Silcher e.g. used more than a dozen of Beethoven's themes, including e.g. the 2nd mvt form symphony 5, for his "own" songs.
Some of these have been recorded by DGG/Archive in the early 1970s.

[lvbfanatic]

Pathetic...

Anyone who's been around this long enough will know that this lvb melody was once hijacked for the pop song Midnight Blue.

So... why is this controversial now?

[Richard_Saunders]

The controversy is in any one tampering with Beethoven's work. That stated, here is a fresh interpretation from a contemporary musician.

[Michael]

Ken Dodd recorded a version in the sixties called "More Than Love" and Neil Sedaka attacked the tune in the nineties and called it "Steel Blue Eyes". At least Greg Cherone attempts some of the other sections of the rondo.

[Greg Cherone]

I just want to THANK ev'ryone
who stopped by and gave the song a listen.
It is greatly appreciated.



Sincerely,


Greg Cherone