I haven't written about my journey into the foray of "classical" music for some time now, so here goes... You can read the previous installment here.
This time I am going to concentrate on familiar pieces, familiar names, and familiar faces, and we begin at the beginning, with Beethoven.
1. Ludwig V. Beethoven - The 9th Symphony, Opus
What can I say about this piece that has not already been said? I'm reaching for the dictionary of superlatives. Sure, it's long and there are times when I've dozed off all through the 2nd and 3rd movements... (like I said it's freaking long), but if you think about it as the summation of man's life, his work and his genius, it is truly deserving of the title magnum opus. We use it as a benchmark for personal achievement. Don't just listen to the Schezero Choral from the 4th Movement. That's the crescendo, the previous three movements set up the scene, the themes, and motives and it all culminates to "Ode to Joy". See also, the 3rd, 5th, and 7th Symphonies.
2. J.S. Bach - Cello Suites (Six Suites for the Unaccompanied Cello)
When Voyager 10 was being sent beyond the Kuiper Belt, a "Golden Disk of Music" was included among other things for aliens to learn about us (Remember Star Trek: The Motion Picture?). Anyway, Carl Sagan was deciding what music to put on the disk and someone suggested Bach, to which Sagan quipped, "Now that would just be showing off." I think the Prelude to the First Suite is evidence of that.
3. Liszt - Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2
One of the most difficult pieces of music to play, and Rachmaninoff had some excellent renditions and then Horowitz perfected it. Seemingly cacophonous in nature, it ties together quite beautifully.
[1] - "Applaud my friends, for the comedy is over" ~ Beethoven on this deathbed.
No comments:
Post a Comment