I would have preferred to end my eye-opening journey through complete works of Ludwig van Beethoven with symphonic music, like a piano trio or a symphony or even a violin concerto.
As it is, finishing today – 86 days after I started listening to Beethoven – with these folk songs kind of leaves a bad taste in my mouth.
That’s not to say I haven’t enjoyed this musical exploration. Or that I intensely dislike what I’m hearing this morning.
On the contrary, Beethoven was as big a thrill to me as when I listened to Mozart for 180 days (his complete works on 180 CDs) a few years ago.
Maybe more so.
Definitely more so.
Beethoven took me by surprise. Totally.
I had no idea Beethoven was this rich, complex, emotional, melodic, and profound. The word deep comes to mind most often when I consider Beethoven’s music. Yet, that’s not even the word I’m looking for. It’s a combination of deep, rich, emotional, melodic, et al. All together.
By way of contrast, when I listened to the complete works of Haydn, I got little out of it other than 150 days of effort. I don’t remember a single melody, most likely because I never heard one that stuck with me. Frankly, Haydn bored me.
Mozart was a blast to study. I learned a great deal – but I was just as wowed by Mozart before I listened to Mozart because I was already familiar with some of his most-famous works, which never fail to astound.
Beethoven, on the other hand, rocked my world. I shared many of these songs, even mere melodic passages, with my wife. Many a time, I’d sit her down and say, “Listen to this!”
Some of Beethoven’s music moved me to tears.
For example:
Piano Sonata No. 14 in C Sharp Minor Op. 272 “Moonlight” Movement I (“Adagio Sostenuto”), for example. That’s easily one of the most heartbreaking, gorgeous pieces of music I’ve ever heard.
Symphony #5 in C Minor Op. 67 Movement 3 (“Scherzo: Allegro”). If all people knew of Beethoven was Symphony #5 (“Da-da-da-dahhhh”), they’d be surprised to know that there are four movements in that symphony, with the third being a tremendously compelling piece of music, equal to Movement I.
Missa Solemnis in D Op. 123, a massive choir that moves me deeply.
For other works that I found particularly compelling, look for my “Favorite” links to the right.
Beethoven’s music has a gravitas about it that I didn’t expect.
Well, I expected seriousness from Beethoven. His reputation for being irascible is well known. But I didn’t expect his music to be as moving as it was. The melodies and dynamics of Beethoven’s compositions indicated to me a soul of great depth.
Ludwig felt the world.
Its profundities (both joyful and sad) touched him. Deeply.
And I heard that in his music.
Beethoven is my favorite Classical composer.