How did Beethoven rank his symphonies?

[Harvey]

Peter, Agree on both points. I was over thinking the order thing.

Right, steer clear of the Cooper 10th. We have plenty of great music in nine.

[gprengel]

Right, steer clear of the Cooper 10th. We have plenty of great music in nine.

Before you ignore this work you should at least make a few trials to listen to it! I personally LOVE this work!! I attended the first performance in London around 1988 and was disappointed, but the more I listened to it in the following years I began to treasure it. The slow Andante introduction is gorgeous and also some passages (8:10... or the coda) in the Allegro are great!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vdl-xIputeM

[Peter]

Before you ignore this work you should at least make a few trials to listen to it! I personally LOVE this work!! I attended the first performance in London around 1988 and was disappointed, but the more I listened to it in the following years I began to treasure it. The slow Andante introduction is gorgeous and also some passages (8:10... or the coda) in the Allegro are great!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vdl-xIputeM

That's fine, but it isn't Beethoven and it certainly isn't Beethoven's 10th and nor does it compare in anyway with nos. 1-9. Yes I've acknowledged that Cooper has skilfully constructed a piece from Beethoven's sketches but I'm certain it bears little relation to what Beethoven would have produced - we know how he worked at his sketches for years, constantly changing and refining, just consider how long the 9th took!

[PDG]

Welcome back from hibernation PDG!

Thanks, Peter. Yes, I've been living on nuts and berries with squirrels and their furry-like friends through the winter, but it became time to move back to the harsh, cruel, human world - which I did on the back of a hedgehog (I doubt if I'll ever sit comfortably again)...

[AeolianHarp]

Thanks, Peter. Yes, I've been living on nuts and berries with squirrels and their furry-like friends through the winter, but it became time to move back to the harsh, cruel, human world - which I did on the back of a hedgehog (I doubt if I'll ever sit comfortably again)...

Oh squirrels! I love those funny furry creatures. I lived near a park in an upstairs bedsit in a Victorian house for 6 years, and Nutkin used to come to my window and I'd give him peanuts.

[Harvey]

Squirrels are fascinating creatures. I have a book that goes into depth on squirrel behaviour. One thing that is fascinating about squirrels is that they have 180 degree rotation of the back ankles so that when they are pointing down a tree their back feet are pointing up for excellent grip! Our church had a seminary student they brought in from Australia and when he saw squirrels he was snapping photographs left and right because he had never seen one before.

As for Beethoven's Symphonies, I have been listening intently to them and am coming to the conclusion that Symphony #1 is high up the rank on my list. Absolutely delightful symphony.

[PDG]

Oh squirrels! I love those funny furry creatures. I lived near a park in an upstairs bedsit in a Victorian house for 6 years, and Nutkin used to come to my window and I'd give him peanuts.

Well, sad news to report, but Mr Nutkin remains in intensive care from trying to ingest peanuts. Police remain baffled (but then again they always are)...

[PDG]

Squirrels are fascinating creatures.
As for Beethoven's Symphonies, I have been listening intently to them and am coming to the conclusion that Symphony #1 is high up the rank on my list.

That may well be; however, squirrels prefer number 6 - the Pastoral (or Hibernation ('nut gathering') symphony). Chipmunks disagree, but hey, we're all different...

[Harvey]

Also, the little pine squirrels are rather boisterous fellows.


But one of my favorites is the rare white squirrel (not albino) which we saw once in Exeter, Canada, a town known for these guys:



But now the problem is we have turned this thread into one for the general forum. Not sure how that is dealt with but to go back on track and talk symphonies. So here we go. The Ninth, I believe most would say, is the greatest of Beethoven's symphonies.

[AeolianHarp]

Squirrels are fascinating creatures. I have a book that goes into depth on squirrel behaviour. One thing that is fascinating about squirrels is that they have 180 degree rotation of the back ankles so that when they are pointing down a tree their back feet are pointing up for excellent grip! Our church had a seminary student they brought in from Australia and when he saw squirrels he was snapping photographs left and right because he had never seen one before.

As for Beethoven's Symphonies, I have been listening intently to them and am coming to the conclusion that Symphony #1 is high up the rank on my list. Absolutely delightful symphony.

They are fascinating I agree, and beautiful and funny. I am glad they delighted the Australian - these furry creatures and very photogenic!

Yes- the First is dellightful!

[AeolianHarp]

Well, sad news to report, but Mr Nutkin remains in intensive care from trying to ingest peanuts. Police remain baffled (but then again they always are)...

Sad to say Nutkin is now in the afterlife...he stopped coming and I no longer saw him around ( a few months before I moved). I will always miss Nutkin- he was a real character.

[AeolianHarp]

That may well be; however, squirrels prefer number 6 - the Pastoral (or Hibernation ('nut gathering') symphony). Chipmunks disagree, but hey, we're all different...

Yes I can imagine at least once one of these furry creatures must have caught the attention of Beethoven and made him smile at their antics!

Chipmunks prefer the Nutcracker Suite.

[AeolianHarp]

Also, the little pine squirrels are rather boisterous fellows.

But one of my favorites is the rare white squirrel (not albino) which we saw once in Exeter, Canada, a town known for these guys:

Lovely photos Harvey!

But now the problem is we have turned this thread into one for the general forum. Not sure how that is dealt with but to go back on track and talk symphonies. So here we go. The Ninth, I believe most would say, is the greatest of Beethoven's symphonies.

Yes, that does seem to be the case when one reads about them- it is usually between the Seventh and the Ninth. The Ninth is the most epic anyway!

[Harvey]

I am not as familiar with the 7th, but would have thought the 5th or 3rd would be most likely second in the list. I was just comparing symphonies 1, 2, 4, and 8 (the less popular ones) and found that my preference among those four is for the 1st. This may be partly because the 1st has a livelier slow movement.

I just found a fascinating quote here:

Beethoven is best known for his nine symphonies, which have been called the cornerstones of Western civilization.

[AeolianHarp]

I am not as familiar with the 7th, but would have thought the 5th or 3rd would be most likely second in the list.

I don't know I just find the 7th has a similar feel in parts to the Ninth, amybe that's just me.

I was just comparing symphonies 1, 2, 4, and 8 (the less popular ones) and found that my preference among those four is for the 1st. This may be partly because the 1st has a livelier slow movement.

Upon going to bed I found that I had bits of the first mvt of the 8th going round my head...must download!!!