In honor of Ludwig’s 238th birthday, take a listen to his 3rd Symphony, the “Eroica” or “heroic” symphony. Beethoven was originally planning to dedicate this piece to Napoleon Bonaparte, whom he considered to embody the ideals of the French Revolution which he admired so much. But before the symphony was finished, Napoleon began to show himself to be a tyrant and warmonger, and when Beethoven heard that he’d had himself crowned Emperor he flew into a disgusted rage and yelled, “So he is no more than a common mortal! Now, too, he will tread under foot all the rights of man, indulge only his ambition; now he will think himself superior to all men, become a tyrant!” Beethoven went to the table, seized the top of the title-page, tore it in half and threw it on the floor; it had to be re-written, and he dedicated the piece instead to “the memory of a great man.” It is still widely considered the first great piece of the Romantic era, and it’s said to “reflect the spirit of hope and prosperity that had overtaken Europe at the start of the 19th century…”
I don't remember that. Jesus H. that creep was useless. Always somebody's puppet.
Von Karajan and Van Beethoven. Doesn’t get any better than that!
What an exciting and inspirational post! Along with Charles Schultz and the Peanuts gang, I always mark Dec. 16 by playing some Beethoven.
Beethoven obviously showed integrity changing his dedication, and the ideals he celebrated are timely ones for these days in America. Thanks for the reminder, Vern! (Too bad about that Nazi conductor in the video though…)
Yes, he was a party memeber. And had many bad personal failings, too, no doubt.
Some people think his orchestras sounded too polished! But the sound of his early sixties Beethoven symphony cycle for Deutche Grammaphon is a wonder.
Vern,
Hope you played some of the Waldstein to commemorate his day! Personally, I think you give the guy some competition!!!!
Rosie, if you can play that piece, I’m impressed!
Imagine what he could have done with some Stratocasters, Moog Synthesizers, and a mixing board! What a genius!
And on the subjects of Nazis and Beethoven, an old joke:
The genius of the Austrian people is getting the world to believe Beethoven was an Austrian and Hitler was a German.