Eroica!

[Michael]

When Beethoven completed this monumental work, he jumped out of the bath and shouted: "Eroica!".
Or maybe I'm mixing this up with someone else.

Anyway, a number of conductors have voted it as the greatest symphony of all time and I wouldn't disagree. When asked, Beethoven said it was his own personal favourite, but this was before he completed the Ninth.

Here are the results of a BBC Music poll:

https://www.theguardian.com/music/20...-mozart-mahler

[Chris]

I wouldn't argue with this result!

[AeolianHarp]

Cool that Beethoven tops the list!!!

[hal9000]

Cool that Beethoven tops the list!!!

He'd have a very good chance of topping my top 10 list considering he'd have nine entries

[Peter]

Should be interesting to see the other 10 that make up the top 20, I'd be surprised if Bruckner 8 wasn't in there and of course a few more Beethoven!

[Michael]

Should be interesting to see the other 10 that make up the top 20, I'd be surprised if Bruckner 8 wasn't in there and of course a few more Beethoven!

According to the article, Beethoven's 5th clocks in at number 11. A few decades ago this would have easily topped the list.

[dahc]

"Eroica" I agree! Wonder about how much of this poll has a programming/audience favorite factor. There are so many symphonies to love.

[Michael]

This is another new BBC symphony poll - this time on Twitter. If you look hard you may find some Beethoven in there:

http://www.classical-music.com/artic...ording-twitter

[Joy]

Glad to hear Eroica made it to the top!

[Michael]

Glad to hear Eroica made it to the top!

The Ninth made it in the BBC Tweeter poll - one of five Beethoven symphonies in the top ten.

http://www.classical-music.com/artic...ording-twitter

[dahc]

However, I still say so many symphonies to love.
Where is Tchaikovsky?

[Zevy]

Where is MOZART?!?

[Michael]

Where is MOZART?!?

Nobody knows for sure. His body was never found.

[Sorrano]

No Haydn here, and he is considered as the father of the symphony. I'd trade the Mozart 41 for the Haydn 104.

[Michael]

No Haydn here, and he is considered as the father of the symphony. I'd trade the Mozart 41 for the Haydn 104.

I think I would do the same. Haydn's last symphony is one of my absolute favourites - guaranteed to raise your spirits.
Haydn never seems to be as popular as the other symphonists. Someone once said that he had the misfortune not to die young or go deaf!