Introduction from newbie

[melvyn]

I have been a UK Beethoven fan since the late sixties, and just found this message board. I think I was hooked when I first heard the Emperor Concerto.

During the seventies I collected the Concert Hall Record Club's Complete Works of Beethoven. Around 70 LPs in 11 impressive volumes. Does anybody remember this set? What happened to Concert Hall? I have recently transferred this set to CDs, and I still enjoy these recordings very much, possibly because this was my introduction to many of the works.

I read many books on Beethoven, and soon discovered that there were many minor works which were not included in the LP set, and set about trying to find recordings of these works or recording them from Rado 3. As I had no access to a definitive list of works, I set about compiling my own list from all the sources I had. I found many anomolies and references to quite a few works which I was not able to identify, and I think there are still a few mysteries in my list which I need to clear up later.

I recently became aware of the DG Complete Beethoven Edition on CDs, and bought that set over a period of a year. One of the best things I ever bought. It filled many gaps in my record collection, but surprisingly I did find one or two pieces which were not in the CBE, but WERE in the earlier Concert Hall LPs! I think they were arrangements for different instrument combinations, but can't remember the exact details.

It is my ambition to make up a collection of CDs with all the works in chronological order (as far as is possible) as I'm sure that it is possible to gain a MUCH greater understanding of Beethoven's works by listening to them in the order in which he composed them, rather than listening to all the symphonies, then all the concertos, etc. I wonder if anybody has ever undertaken this momentous task.

I absolutely adore ALL of the concertos. My favourite works are the Triple Concerto and the Mass in C, with its lovely serene opening which returns at the end.

I've just bought a DVD recorder, so my latest project is to transfer all of my Beethoven concerts from VHS to DVD.

I am not a Beethoven expert, I just like listening to his music. I think that will do for now - sorry to bore you all!

Melvyn.

[Chris]

Welcome to the forums! It sounds like you have much to contribute.

[lysander]

Welcome Melvyn as our latest Beethoven enthusiast, you don't have to be an expert, but I already sense that you are very knowledgable on the subject of 'B' and look forward to your contributions.
I am also a recent member and a devotee of Beethoven though I do not play an instrument nor know much about music analysis, which for me, analysis of 'B''s works holds a particular fascination.
It is never too late to learn.
What was your first introduction to Beethoven?
You will find this is the most informative, lively and interactive forum as members are very helpful and quite polished on many aspects of Beethoven, classical music and other composers.




[This message has been edited by lysander (edited March 18, 2003).]

[Andrea]

Willkommen, Melvyn, to our Beethoven group.

I envy you your DG complete Beethoven collection. Most of my small collection is of DG recordings. I wish I was able to afford to add to my collection, but living here in Vienna, Austria, the prices for CDs is twice as much as I would pay back in Los Angeles. I guess that when we go for our vacation later this year back to Calif. I will make sure I bring back loads of Beethoven CDs.

Not all of us here in this forum are Beethoven experts but we all share a love of his music. So again welcome aboard and am looking forward to your postings here.

[Rod]

If you check the Rare Beethoven link on the Beethoven Reference Site home page you will see we have presented many of Beethoven's more obscure pieces as mp3 files, it's a pity you found us so late as this series of mp3s is comming to an end, though you may find what follows - Beethoven's main works on period instruments - even more interesting.

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

[This message has been edited by Rod (edited March 18, 2003).]

[Joy]

Originally posted by Rod:
though you may find what follows - Beethoven's main works on period instruments - even more interesting.

Looking forward to that!

[Sorrano]

Originally posted by melvyn:

I am not a Beethoven expert, I just like listening to his music. I think that will do for now - sorry to bore you all!

Melvyn.

Not bored at all! I've had similar desires but have been frustrated because so much is left out by each edition of the "complete works". Not long ago I tried aquiring in score form the complete piano music as well as recorded. Neither set by itself nor altogether contains the complete set; much is missing. So I'll have to keep on trying.

[melvyn]

Thanks for the welcomes

Andrea: Do as I did and buy one volume at a time. It costs a bit more like that, but at least you get the opportunity to study each volume before the next one arrives! If you buy it from Amazon.com you'll get it at US prices no matter where you live. Incidently, I found that Amazon.co.uk were only selling 19 of the 20 volumes. Volume 19 was missing. Fortunately I was able to get the missing volume from Amazon.com (phew). This was the situation around 2 years ago, I've not checked since.

Sorrano: Yes it is frustating to discover that many pieces are missing in these so-called 'complete' sets, but it is understandable. There are commercial factors to be considered and the manufacturers have to balance the cost of production against the price and likely sales figures. It is a very specialised field and they have to make a profit. Overall I think the DG set is remarkable and as complete as one could reasonably expect.

Melvyn.

[Gurn Blanston]

Originally posted by melvyn:

As I had no access to a definitive list of works, I set about compiling my own list from all the sources I had. I found many anomolies and references to quite a few works which I was not able to identify, and I think there are still a few mysteries in my list which I need to clear up later.
.... It is my ambition to make up a collection of CDs with all the works in chronological order (as far as is possible) as I'm sure that it is possible to gain a MUCH greater understanding of Beethoven's works by listening to them in the order in which he composed them, rather than listening to all the symphonies, then all the concertos, etc. I wonder if anybody has ever undertaken this momentous task.
Melvyn.

Melvyn,
As the others did, so I also welcome you. In addition, you sound like a man after my own heart, both in the collecting aspects and the listening in chronological order ones. I am far from having all the works, I think I have about 65% of the non-vocal music though. Not in a set as you do, but rather individual CD's mainly, the product of 8 years and counting of dedicated searching. That set from the 70's sounds absolutely marvelous, I am green.
In any case, there is a pretty definitive list available, which is the Biamonti Catalog. If you give me a private email I shall set you up with it (I do not know how to post it in any way, but can attach it to an email), but it is in MS Word format if that is a problem. It has over 1400 entries, so is substantial.
As to listening, I have ripped most of my CD's into mp3's and recorded them to disk in chronological order, and this is my favorite way of listening. I think the variety of composition is highlighted this way, and jumping from concerto to septet to sonata is great.
Welcome once again,
Regards, Gurn

[Gurn Blanston]

Originally posted by Andrea:
Willkommen, Melvyn, to our Beethoven group.

I envy you your DG complete Beethoven collection. Most of my small collection is of DG recordings. I wish I was able to afford to add to my collection, but living here in Vienna, Austria, the prices for CDs is twice as much as I would pay back in Los Angeles. I guess that when we go for our vacation later this year back to Calif. I will make sure I bring back loads of Beethoven CDs.

Not all of us here in this forum are Beethoven experts but we all share a love of his music. So again welcome aboard and am looking forward to your postings here.

Andrea,
Lord, I didn't realize! I pay approximately $15 US plus shipping for a CD (more for DG, less for Naxos, obviously) What must the cost be there to make that pale in comparison? You have my sympathy!
Regards, Gurn

[TJJ]

Melvyn,welcome to the board also. I'm new around here myself. A fairly knowledgeable group post here where one could expect to learn a great deal. I plan on dropping by when the schedule permits.

[Rod]

Originally posted by TJJ:
Melvyn,welcome to the board also. I'm new around here myself. A fairly knowledgeable group post here where one could expect to learn a great deal. I plan on dropping by when the schedule permits.

Only 'fairly knowledgeable'?

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