Why Did Beethoven Write Music He Couldn’t Hear Performed?
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- Опубликовано: 29 сен 2024
- In this episode I celebrate the great pianist/conductor Daniel Barenboim's 80th birthday discussing his performance of Beethoven's Op.110 Piano Sonata. I also ask the question why did Beethoven write this beautiful music when he had not only his deafness but also many other sicknesses he was dealing with at the end of his life.
I'm a classically trained composer who happens to have been born hard-of-hearing. I've worn hearing aids all my life. I frequently lecutre at schools on different music topics, and the question of how a deaf person could write music often comes up. I have taken to explaining it this way: "Don't sing this out loud so that everyone has a chance, but close your eyes, take a breath, and in your mind, sing 'Happy Birthday' to yourself." I've never met a student who couldn't imagine the music in their own heads. Then I explain that there is a skill called "dictation" whereby you know how to write down the music you hear in your head. Having a firm grasp of theory and form helps! We can do the same thing with the English language, by the way. We read books and magazines and "hear" the words we are reading without speaking them out loud. Skilled musicians can do the same with sheet music. Lastly, thank you for spending some time with Beethoven. I am convinced everyone can find some Beethoven they would like if they would just give him a chance. The obvious standouts are the Moonlight Sonata (search for Beethoven Piano Sonata No. 14 in C-sharp minor, Op. 27, No. 2, first movement) and the Pathetique Sonata (search for Beethoven Piano Sonata No. 8 in C minor, Op. 13, 2nd movement). My absolutely favorite piece of Beethoven, however, is the slow movement of his last string quartet (search for Beethoven String Quartet No. 16, 3rd movement, "lento assai") which, to me, sounds like what it must sound like to enter heaven. More Beethoven, please!
Thank-you for this well-constructed, well-written, well thought through comment . . .
I’ve found many passages of Beethoven that give me that feeling of entering Heaven. So much beauty and joy coming from one human. Hard to fathom the level of his genius.
YES ! Richard Russell , yes yes yes , can't believe mr R ick had to ask that question
We ALL HEAR music . Most of us can't do much with what we hear tho' .
Sometimes I will be reading and I suddenly realize , moonlight sonata 3rd movement is playing in my head. That, and so much more music just floating around my mind.
One of the best, most informative comments I've seen on RUclips. Not kidding. Really appreciate you taking the time to write it and explain the subject from your experience and perspective. Thank you.
I can understand him not just still wanting to write music at that point in his life. Deaf and ill also nearing the end of his life. I can completely understand him needing to continue working on his music. Music for me is therapeutic and also my best friend in the way of my music is mine and only mine. It’s where I place my heart. My happiest times my saddest times and everything in between. My instrument is my outlet that I pour my soul into.
It’s hard to comprehend Beethoven’s genius. Not only did he hear this in his head but knew the dynamics and where to put them.
I have been listening for 6 years when I started playing guitar at age 50. I couldn't understand a word coming out of Rick's mouth....Circle of 5ths, Nashville Number System, but hung in there. I would always leave with a little bit of homework. I found it fascinating that Rick could hear the notes and chords in songs. I wanted to do that. Now I find myself understanding what he's talking about (not everything) and I can say I can hear what chords and notes are in a song much better now. So much learning to be had in the guise of "what makes this song great".
I had the great pleasure of working for the CSO as my first job out of college, specifically the Civic Orchestra, their training ensemble. My best memories of that job were attending rehearsals with Barenboim conducting. He never once used a score (except for new pieces). Everything else, from Beethoven to Ravel to Stravinsky to Brahms was completely memorized, every note. Barenboim's perfection of pitch was so strong that he would sometimes whistle pitches to out-of-tune players. Almost always a gentleman, he became the music, he was the music, and because of that, the players around him played the composers' notes as if they were the word of god.
A disability doesn't stop a person from pursuing their passion.
People overcome their challenges by adapting.
Despite all the struggle, illness, he still continued to work, to write this beautiful music. I cannot comprehend how much willpower is required for that.
I have not intentionally listened to Bon Jovi in the last two decades ; however “you give love a bad name” gets stuck in my head daily. I’m happy with the wife so how could this song be so stuck in my head?
"Once he lost his hearing, why wouldn't he just become despondent?"
Have you heard his 7th Symphony? Sometimes he WAS despondent! Every time I hear it, it tears at my heartstrings.
Fred
I haven't heard this documented, but I have to assume his feel of the musical vibrations helped guide him along. I think those of us with good hearing take for granted the great feeling of musical resonance.
After intense practice with lots of improvisation, sometimes your brain keeps playing after you put the instrument down. It’s neat, a little annoying sometimes (hard to switch off when trying to sleep), but it shows what pitches and timbre actually imply for the brain.
I’m guessing Beethoven already lived a life of constant mental composition before his loss in hearing. Maybe if that loss was gradual, it helped lock in that transition.
For what it’s worth,
I have played violin and guitar but I am not a song writer. I am however a poet. Before I write a poem I do not see the poem in words at all. The words are secondary. Instead I see something that doesn’t even exist yet that yearns to be born. We use the forms and shapes and symbols that people are familiar with, and create something totally different. That little bit of different is everything. But most importantly, we do not create by means of our physical senses, but rather it comes from a perception that is beyond all perceivable form. I’ll leave it at that
He channelled from the Other Spaces.
The one piece by Beethoven that sums this up for me is the Grand Fugue (originally the final movement of String Quartet No. 13), written less than two years before he died. Kind of like how bands like U2 and INXS were writing 90s music in the 80s, this piece is 20th century music written in the 19th century; he out-Stravinskied Stravinsky a century in advance. Music like this would be fiendishly difficult to conceive of and write if you COULD year it, and it's still fiendishly difficult to play.
If you don't know it, go check it out, and prepare yourself for a shock.
I could listen forever
We also need Mozart Requiem Rick!
Beethoven was nothing short of genius, but I'd like to thank Rick for recognizing the greatness that is Daniel Barenboim. When I hear his sonatas, be they Beethoven, Mozart or Schubert, they're as I would imagine the masters themselves would have sounded.
He is music. His love of his art required in his suffering only lays testament that those "old white guys" worked hard for their art.
Ten stars for Beethoven.
Beethoven hearing with his minds ear. Different chordal patterns. Is similar to how Tesla could see and test out different inventions all in his head and see if they worked or not. Same type of genius
Daniel Baremboim was a regular visitor to my home when I was a child. My father, Harry Franklin, was a concert pianist. Barenboim always came for dinner when he was in town to perform with the PSO. Once he came with his wife, the great cellist Jacqueline du Pré. I have several stories. I know how kucky I was to have him (and many other classical music luminaries) as part of my past.
Love this!
I would love to hear your stories about those visits. Those were very special days.
Also would love to read these stories
You should write these stories down and record them for posterity.
Dear Mr Beato, this is genuine praise from a reverse angle, so to speak. I come from the classical music world and your video's convinced me that I have been, all that time, prejudiced against pop and rock. Your channel made me appreciate the fact that Donald Fagan, Sting, Wes Montgommery, Elton John and many more, are as art as music could ever be. Listening to you talk about Bach and Beethoven proves something very profound and universal. Please consider doing a What makes this song great about Beethoven's string quartet op.74.
Your perspective allowed me to see digitally made music in the same way.
I did an entire research paper coorilating heavy metal to classical and boroque music for college. really interesting when you really break down the music to see the influences and styles within two seemingly unrelated genres
I grew up on classical- my mother played violin and this was her music! People may not recognize or realize that this was "contemporary" music at that time and had to be performed live to appreciate. I am sure those performances brought many people together and were special. We have legacies such as Beethoven to drive us in inspiration, I know for me modern music is a melting pot that adds so many rich flavors of sounds and styles to the table. I appreciate Ric and his open mind to remind us of the Genius of such great composers and their musical contributions. Thank you :)
@@Bowling_Dude I've heard this surprisingly often, though it's well out of wheelhouse. All I can do is speak from personal experience, and that's growing up with classical (plus jazz, blues and rock) via my parents and finding my own tastes gravitated towards heavier music. I still love classical (the 9th is my favourite piece of music) and jazz just as much as I do the heaviest of metal.
Aww! (crying) How beautiful and what a wonderful thing to write. Mr Blinkhoven, I love piano and orchestral music especially baroque, classical and romantic (like Mandelson) but I love madrigals, folk music, rock music, synthesizer music (especially Vangelis and Jean Michelle Jarre) and so many other genres. In many ways, music makes my life worth while. I'm sure you must feel the same. If we all liked the same things, it would be a disappointing world. If at least some contemporary music makes you happy I'm sure the artists who wrote the tracks would feel the same joy.
"Triumph of the human spirit" is right on the money and it should be noted that Beethoven's resolve to persevere with a life of composition was detailed in a letter written to his brothers Kaspar and Karl in a piece called the Heiligenstadt Testament in 1802. As a deaf musician myself, I take immense inspiration from the work of Beethoven and keep a portrait of him on my studio wall, so that whenever I think of giving it all up, I remember that i'm under the watchful eye of the maestro. How the 9th Symphony was even possible is beyond me.
Being deaf in one ear, I have always had the ability to feel music as well as hear the music. I am not speaking from an emotional “feeling” standpoint. I am talking about the vibrations we sense from certain notes, octaves, etc. I believe this may be another dimensional quality that most people do not possess or have the ability to recognize.
@@perfectsound500, I agree. I am a retired music teacher who was born hearing-impaired and needed hearing aids from 3 y.o. on (once my parents recognized I had a problem with my hearing). Physical vibrations are integral. My “ear” finally clicked in during uni. Before that, just “hearing” the difference between a, say, Bb and B natural was difficult. But let me be touching the piano……
On another note, I wonder how many of us with hearing-deficit chose music as a career?
I think Beethoven knew he was an extraordinary Composer, with unique insights into music, and he was determined to not let the wonders he created and heard in his mind go unheard by the rest of the World.
Yes, these late works were Beethoven's gift to the world.
Interesting perspective, never thought of looking at it that way!
We absolutely know that Beethoven knew he was an amazing composer. In a letter he sent to his brothers, called The Heiligenstadt Testament, he laments about his increasing deafness and when referring to his loss of hearing he said "Ah, how could I possibly admit an infirmity in the one sense which ought to be more perfect in me than in others, a sense which I once possessed in the highest perfection, a perfection such as few in my profession enjoy or ever have enjoyed."
But it's sad to know that most of them went unheard...
I think he discovered that music is the language of the Gods. he felt responsible to share it with the world, and maybe his deafness allowed him to see it more clearly.
The beautiful thing you have brought to this audience is that whilst you deeply enjoy and have a history with prog, rock, grunge and pop music that you lived through, you introduce like minded people to what came before. There is a long history of incredible music from composers like Beethoven.. I for one might have skipped over it, but for your channel. Now I'm listening to it. Thank you.
It is a bit odd that Rick loves grunge but never even acknowledges the existence of punk rock though.
@@spindriftdrinker Punk is all spirit. 3 chords and the truth, etc... Maybe there's less to hang his hat on? Who knows, now he'll probably do an episode haha
You already know the answer: "Ah, it seemed to me impossible to leave the world until I had brought forth all that I felt was within me." - Beethoven
For any musician, discovering this channel must be like winning the lottery! You can tell Rick truly lives and breathes to consume music in a way that enhances his life while also entertaining and enlightening millions of people around the world. This channel is an absolute goldmine for anyone who truly loves music, and sees it as a valuable part of their life.
hear hear
I concur. I've learned a lot about music from Rick.
So agree...Rick is fantastic
I just found his channel today... how on earth could I not subscribe. BTW GREAT RULE TO BO TV ON DURING DAY WOULD BE SO WINDERFUL FOR EVEN CHILDREN BECAUSE ALL THE GENRES OF MUSIC PLAYING DURING DAY JUST SIMPKY PUT, EXPANDS THE MIBDS OF OUR YOUNG..a AND THIS IS SO VERY IMPT TO BRINGING UP A QUALITY ADULT TO SERVE I do not come from music background but as all people should, I want to educate self of as many things that I am able... and Mr Beato is now the man. Grew up for 3 yrs without any television in 3rd world Ankara Turkey. For those 3 yrs I learned to LOVE to read (still do) & folk played classical music all day long. (There was also variety of other genres to at time classical not running~ but classical just rang a bell with me as all day long enjoyable background music). SO thankful Dad was in USAF which allowed us kids to see the world in a bigger greater way than had we otherwise grown up. I think growing up USAF is certainly behind my career as a children’s book writer. God bless to y’all!
Being a father of a Deaf and a hard of hearing sons, this hit close to home. I feel that Beethoven is what I tell him sons… Never let your disability turn into a handicap. 🤟🏼
Tell them about Evelyn Glennie
@@sonubhargava5473 Or Rachel Flowers
He was answering his calling
Beethoven had help. He held one end of a metal rod with his teeth, holding the other end against the piano. He bypassed the ears, and went to a 'bone headset'.
Yep. Beethoven was deaf. Bach and Handel went blind. Geniuses of modern music like Ray Charles and Stevie Wonder were and are blind. It is possible for deaf people to experience music.
Thank you so much for talking about Beethoven's genius Rick! As a classical pianist it means so much to me; he has to be my favorite composer of all time. Barenboim's renditions are truly some of the best out there, such a skilled musician.
Thank you for all your wonderful content!
S
Please listen to Emil Gilel's Waldstein Sonata: the best rendition I've ever heard. Also, Pollini's Appassionata Sonata is absolutely brilliant.
@@lukameah853 I love Gilel's playing, though I haven't heard his version of the Waldstein yet. I'll check it out. Thank you!
@@lukameah853 Yes. Kudos to Barenboim but I don't think he's the best pianist to play Beethoven - too soft. Maybe just interpretation and preference. Also, I was under the impression Beethoven wasn't so much deaf as he suffered from very bad tinnitus - something people who have perfect pitch are prone to developing. Maybe I have been misinformed.
@@petravh4711 The added awfulness of going deaf is that it isn't quiet, but a hellish ringing and buzzing.
Luka Meah: exactly, and now you can't always distinguish the inner sounds from outer notes: all just hellish ringing and buzzing. Poor Beethoven.
Aah opus 110. As a pianist myself this is where sometimes the blurred lines of music becomes what some may say is spiritual or takes on some other 'quality' that is so difficult to explain or analyze. Op 110 was the first piece I ever played that made me feel I was in the presence of something 'outside' of merely a composer writing a great piece of music. It was a piece of art that made me question my mere exiistence on this earth and wonder is the regular day and night all we have. This is a piece of artistic endeavour that for me made more sense of my own world as a musician / pianist. It's often thought that Beethoven is the more aggressive, more imtimidating, heart on sleeve, in your face' of composers but this work reveals a higher purely melodic sense amongst his many talents - in my opinion. It has an inner reflective 'gentle' quality as shown in the slow 'free' passages and in the fugue that really is a moving commentary and becomes a triumph finale that almost matches his 'heraldry' in the 5th symphony ending - just wonderful. Trying to get it across to an audience is actually not that difficult imo Beethoven more or less does that for you in the notes alone. Ab rules!
Really well said; Op. 110 is truly otherworldly.
Rick, I love it when you discuss classical composers and performers. There are volumes of books written about Beethoven's late works and I am glad you are highlighting the gorgeous Ab sonata; however, I would also ask you to do an entire episode on the Adagio Sostenuto from his Op 106 Hammerklavier which he also wrote while deaf. It is among the most profound, gorgeous, hopeful and most heartbreakingly sad pieces ever written in all of music. The entirety of the human experience can be found in this one work. I am always dumbstruck when I think of how Beethoven innovated the classical form and brought in the Romantic era while also laying the ground work for the modern era in Op.111 and the Grosse Fugue.
I can play the Hammerklavier...up to the grand fugue. That's where I gave up....sorry, you need 3 hands to play it. lol. But I agree with you 100% about that 3rd mvt. It influenced every major European composer after him.
@@lukameah853 Apparently, Franz Liszt could play pretty much anything on sight. The only exception was the Hammerklavier.
@@brianvanderspuy4514 Yes, I agree - the adagio from 29 is the most extraordinary piece of music I know...
If Beethoven came back today he'd be overwhelmed at how central he is to world culture and how we venerate him.
"I think of myself as being the laziest person in the world" After I've fired up the synth to write more, that's why we all watch Rick, it helps keep us motivated to make music. Plus you show us paths of inspiration we might not have considered.
I share my birthday with Beethoven and have always been inspired by him. My piano teacher once told me that when Beethoven first realized his hearing was failing, he sawed the legs off his pianos so that he could better feel the vibrations as he composed and played. That's brilliant. The strong will makes a way, accepts no defeat, and will not cease in expressing itself.
As far as I am concerned, the Beethoven Piano Sonatas are the greatest music that has ever been composed. One of the greatest artistic achievements in human history. The piano sonatas have it all. In these sonatas Beethoven speaks in so many different ways. The diversity of musical expression is astounding.
Also his last bagatelles and his string quartets.
and his violin and piano sonatas, trios, etc., Beethoven was one of a kind
Beethoven has to be one of the most amazing people that ever lived. The fact that he was completely deaf, yet able to hear such complex music all in his mind is impossible for me to wrap my head around. I mean, it’s hard to understand how anyone could write such masterpieces, let alone someone who couldn’t hear.
he had a lifetime of ear training by the time he went deaf. he also never went totally deaf and could still use his piano as a reference point by playing a note and putting his ear to the floor. but he had such a deep understanding of music that his mind's ear took over his physical ear, and it actually made him a more powerful musician. his late period is usually considered his greatest
I’m in tears here. My mother would plays these on Sundays and I would sit and just listen. I’m a lover of this because my mother and father gave my the gift of every kinds of music. I can just sit so totally transfixed by the mastery of sound these artist provide! I wonder could you look into the use of classical music in pop music…like Rachmaninov being the jumping off point for Eric Carmen…
Yes! "All By Myself" being a cheesy copy of his melody from the 2nd movement of Rachmaninoff's sublime Second Piano Concerto. I'd be down to hear a series on song connections like this too.
Gentle Is The Rain , song from the 1960's. Barry Manilow also used a Chopin prelude.
Beethoven making this amidst his struggles and obstacles was beautiful hear. Concrete Proof that Music transcends what we know, and that it is an amazing remedy.
Vielen herzlichen Dank von einem Beethoven- und Rick Beato-Fan aus Deutschland 🥰.
Beautiful video. I always find inspiration in musicians who appreciate what it means to write a note. For that type of person it isn’t just about the sound it is just who they are.
I think this is why Beethoven kept writing even when he could no longer hear. The music isn’t just about pleasant sounds it was for him just how he lived his life. When I did my video on the composer Joseph Beer who wrote this beautiful opera while in France hiding from the Nazis and it was a comedy. The man knew it would not be played outside the sheet (at least not for several decades) but it was how he found comfort because it was who he was and nothing more.
I find this in myself and I think a lot of musicians do. I have scores of sheet music albums written but most of it will never be played. Although I may have a mountain before me when it comes to my research into a series of string harmonics that are so obscure no one cares I feel I must because the sound is part of me. I am proud to say I can appreciate the importance of a note - just a note - no matter how strange is. It isn't just a sound, it is the sound of someone's life.
Nearly 200 years after his death and people are still listening to, learning, performing and even analyzing his music. That alone is nothing short of astonishing. I doubt much of anyone would do the same to bands we praise and listen to these days in a 100 years.
i think they'll be serious studies done of Lady Ga Ga's piano concerto in b flat in the future. Without question
I think The Beatles are the closest thing that we’ll experience in our lifetimes. 60 years on and the love for their music and its influence on musicians today are as strong as ever. That might change over the course of the next centuries but I don’t think it will.
I love how Rick uses the range of his channel to present usually unknown music beauty to the popular ears. Thank you very much Rick for bringing Daniel Barenboim to our days and praising his talent.
About Beethoven, he did not born deaf. The same way people who did not born blind can imagine forms, he had the experience of sound, and than, he could imagine sound. Beautiful.
Bringing Daniel Baremboim to our days? He is very much alive and is a world renowned conductor, mind you.
@@enkiitu mind my english, but I meant that, without Rick's video, I doubt most of us would be playing his work. I mean, for example, I was listening to ELP's Tarkus prior to watch the video. Then, after the video, I went through hours of Beethoven's sonatas. Thus, Rick brought Daniel's work to my *day*, at least. Hope correcting me gave you enough joy.
@@SauloDSReis 👍🏼👍🏼
What is more stunning to me is not only did Beethoven continue to write music, his concepts of what were possible in music continued to evolve - in his head. His final 3 symphonies (especially but not limited to the 9th), the final quartets, and the las 3 piano sonatas. The final sonata is Jazz, baby, at least the way Alfred Brendel plays it.
He was truly a tortured heroic man
It is easy to see and hear how Beethoven was the Titanic Bridge between the classical and romantic periods. Nice retrospective!
Beethoven.... respect for the Classical and yet so UNDENIABLY Beethoven in character. He couldn't conceal his identity if he tried. Powerful, honest, intimate, personal... beautiful music. I'm not a pianist, but have played lots of his chamber and symphonic works on the violin.
Even after listening to greats like Mozart or Bach, Beethoven’s emotional playing really sets him apart
The four last sonatas are astonishing! The opening bars of opus 109 is just gorgeous! Opus 111 is incredible; the first boogie woogie riff. Check out the Ivo Pogorelich interpretation of opus 111. It's sublime!
Ludwigs hearing was the least of his problems , the limitations of the instruments and musicians frustrated him more. I was kicked in front of a car whilst at music uni. Stuffed my left hand and right ear, 18mnths later I thought well thats' the career gone OR do I learn to re-hear accept being a one handed player and continue my musical journey as a personal experience. The music won and the world has one less grumpy git!
Beethoven is a great inspiration and brilliant composer. Classical music for the win.
Rick, you are by far my favorite person to enjoy listening to a song with. Whenever I listen to a new song, I love making those little comments of "that minor key change was beautiful," "I love the light and elegant feel there," etc.. Noone else I know really does that, and I think it really adds so much to experiencing a song. Whenever you make those comments, it makes me so happy. Thank you for appreciating music so much.
Beethoven's later work is just mind-boggling. I am almost driven to tears every time I listen to the 5th piano concerto's 2nd movement. The emotions in that music is just overwhelming.
The interplay between the piano and orchestra are at a new level in the 5th concerto. Genius.
💬💭.💬....👆👆
Actually this concerto is considered a piece from the middle period.
@@ofirblu222 Yes I know about the 3 periods of Beethoven. But if you forget when he wrote it (the year and the fact that musicologist will put the 5th in his middle period), musically piano concerto number 5 stands apart and is certainly a preview of things to come. A good mix of technique, inspiration, emotion ... genius.
I was 19 in 1973, and driving home from work in my car, when I heard part of Beethoven’s Violin Concerto in D Minor on the radio. I had to pull off the road to listen to the entire piece. I was a diehard rock n roll guitarist and bassist, although raised on light classical music, but had never really “heard” Beethoven until that day. My mind was opened to his genius that afternoon. His piano sonatas are sublime. I will find this collection and buy it. I need it. Thank you for doing this video, Rick.
The Violin concerto deeply affected me on first listen as well.
I hate throwing the word around, but he was truly a “genius” in the sense of the word.
I heard a LOT of Bach as a child and thought of Beethoven and kind of corny. His Violin Concerto changed that in and instant. By far my favorite Beethoven.
Appassionata!!
Thank you for bring more attention to Beethoven, Bach, and other great masters of the past! As a classic rock DJ once said long ago, that I've taken to heart, in spite of the jokes that people make about various kinds of music, there are really only two types: music you like and music you don't. Enjoy what you enjoy, no matter the genre!
As a 'guitar guy' who is knowledgeable across all types of music, I was wondering if you might do a brief show on Heitor Villa-Lobos and his guitar works in particular? Some AMAZING stuff!
As a budding jazzer my mates used to say, “You’ll feel it.” This is beyond the next level. Bravo!
Many of us believe that when Beethoven could no longer hear music in the air around him he went so deep into himself that he found music in a metaphysical depth of reality and brought it back to Earth, like Prometheus stealing fire from the gods on Mount Olympus.
just stop already
I can't help but think (and be thankful) that some may hear this music for the first time here...because of your influence...and be inspired to create immaginative, melodic, beautiful music that we will all benefit from hearing. I know you must think sbout such things because you are always thinking forward as you look back...teaching...mentoring...encouraging. You (and this channel) are gift, my friend. I cannot wait to see where you take us next.
Such a wonderful topic! Rick should reach out to Martha and Daniel and see if they can do an interview. He is bringing their playing to so many people!
We studied a chapter on Beethovan in school days,, its called Fire and Tears.. And yeah, it's sad to know about his life... He had gone through so much yet he had attachment with music.
You're right Rick. We are all lazy musicians! When you really stop for a second and think about what it would have been like. It is not only heart breaking, it is inspiring! We should all take a page from Beethoven's book. Life is short, the gifts we are given are not to be taken for granted, any gift! Be it a painter, a musician, whatever. We have to keep trying and never give up! Great video Rick. As always!
Someone who was NOT "lazy" was Duane Allman. He likened the Muscle Shoals Wrecking Crew to "insurance salemen" because they only played when they were "working." Kind of like Red Auerbach telling Kevin McHale that he needed to be more like Larry Bird. Kevin replied, "I've got a life, Coach." Music was life to Duane. Somehow Rick Beato consistently downplays Duane Allman, to the point that he didn't know that his (Beato's) pick for the #1 spot on his Greatest Rock Intro lick video, came from Allman, not Clapton.
the feeling he had is unexplainable.
Both Daniel Barenboim and Martha Argerich were born in Buenos Aires, mi city. We are so proud of them, I hope someday Rick can listen to some argentinean music as Piazzolla.. I´m sure it will blow his mind.. greetings from Buenos Aires, la ciudad de la furia..
Me ganaste de mano... Exactamente lo que venía pensando comentar... Y meter una ficha de la infancia neoyorkina de Piazzolla para sumar al combo...
@@FedericoPalma rick rara vez lee los comentarios asi que no se si vale la pena jaja
@@AngelHadzi yo hago mi aporte con una manito arriba así lo lee. Excelente recomendación! Saludos!
@@JGerFuentes graciass
Oh I'm sure Rick knows and loves Astor Piazzolla. But yea I hope he speaks about his music too.
In my opinion, there has never been, nor will there ever be, a greater musical genius than Ludwig van Beethoven.
👍
Certainly a debatable assertion, altho i agree with it. But if there are any other contenders, we can be sure that Justin Bieber is not among them.
Agreed.
There's always Brahms, standing on Beethoven's shoulders
Rick OMG!!!!!!!!!! I can't believe you did this. Beethoven was incredible and you are so right. What motivation it must take to produce something so beautiful when you can't hear it yourself. Thank you for this and I hope that you do something on Mozart and other classical musicians too.
Amazing playing, yes. And such a great recording - the piano sounds beautiful. You can sense his touch.
I agree with you . . .
I did not like Beethoven’s use of auto tune but other than that he has a promising career.
Barenboim has always been one of my favourites. Didnt he memorise them all by the age of 18. What a gift.
Not only was Beethoven deaf in the Late Period, he also suffered from other ailments and was locked in a bitter custody battle in court for his nephew who tried to commit suicide. A testament to his formidable will to create. He was already a famous composer and could have decided just to retire artistically.
Rick, this reminds me of the story of the pianist Camille Saint-Saens who, after performing four pieces at his concert debut, he then got up from the bench and announced to the audience that for an encore, he would perform any one of the 32 Beethoven Piano Sonatas from memory…
He was 10 years old at the time.
Always good to remind us all of the truly miraculous life of Ludwig Van. His accomplishments, especially later in life, are just mind blowing. During your interview with Pat Methany, I recall him saying something like, "Compared to Bach, we all suck". Very true for the many billions of us historically, but certainly not for this man. Listening to his works puts me in a silent awe that lingers long afterward.
It's like listening to flowing water through rapids, eddys, falls, spray against rock, sparkles in sunshine, and placid oxbows. When you have all of this beauty shimmering in your mind, with such clarity, it absolutely has to come out for others to hear and play.
Well put!
@@richardshoults8775 Thank you.
Mr Beato, this has nothing to do with this video but I didn’t know how else to contact you with my question, why do groups or singers put out their very first song it goes right to number one and then they fade into obscurity, and other singers or bands only hit top 20 or 30 with their first few songs but then hit number one and are stars for 40 years ?what is the difference in those two bands and singers that causes this? Just found your channel a few weeks ago, and enjoy it very much!
This would be an interesting topic for a video.
I can imagine pretty easily how Beethoven would write a piece of music say, for solo piano, but where my mind gets particularly boggled, is at the thought of how he could arrange entire symphonies. Sitting there, writing the music for every single instrument, and knowing in his head how they would all sound together.
Every symphony was written that way. Being a composer means to know what instruments sound good together even without an orchestra available to help you.
@@ofirblu222 Yes, I know, and that skill of all composers impresses me. I’m just saying that writing one part while deaf is not so impressive as that, in comparison.
@@darwinsaye he wasn’t completely deaf
@@marte1081when he wrote the 9th symphony he was almost completely deaf.
Well stated Rick. Classical music like this is another category of beauty and quality compared to today’s pop music. There is in fact, no comparison.
Rick, thank you for turning an old Rocker into a classical music listener. You have expanded my silly self imposed musical boundaries and opened a new world for me.
I appreciate how you bring out the erudition in popular music and bring erudite music into the popular realm. This is good content.
Astute comment . . .
Music is a gift from God.
Any actual proof for that?
In terms of the only remaining giants of the piano (1:35),
I think you are missing Krystian Zimerman.
Yes I mentioned him in my comment today. Emperor, second movement (Bernstein/Vienna Phil) - just sublime!
Thank you for sharing Beethoven's incredibly beautiful Opus 110!
Rick, I believe that these incredible notes were already within him - similarly to the great sculptures who say that the imagine was already in the stone - they just had to free it - ❤️
I watched the video on beethoven a while ago, I specifically listened to the 9th symphony you mentioned and I listened to it again multiple times and funny enough not too long before you posted this video today. I never listened to much classical music before that but I've enjoyed Vivaldi, Tchaikovsky and many other since. So thank you Rick
"But it's not fair. It's not fair I should feel ill when I hear lovely, lovely Ludwig van" - Alex Delarge
Having been involved with the deaf community since I was a young teenager, I think it valuable to point out that the deaf not only can compose music, they can enjoy it (or hate it) as well. They're "feeling" the vibrations rather than hearing the pitch, but I've been to full-on concerts with deaf friends and we all seem to be having a similar reaction to the music itself. Had a deaf buddy who was a good drummer actually...he could certainly feel the grooves he was laying down :)
Rick, Thank you so much for this video. Having played classical piano for over 50 years now, I have learned (but never mastered) a number of Beethovens sonatas. They are at once awe inspiring, joyous, challenging and frustrating. Awe inspiring in that they show us the heights of creation the human mind can achieve, even in adversity. Joyous in their triumph of spirit. Challenging from the technical perspective of performance and, frustrating in the sense that the sonatas are greater than any performance of them could ever be. You can spend a lifetime studying them (many have) and always find something new.
Beethoven wasn't just hearing the music in his head, he was seeing and feeling it as he wrote it; he was playing it on paper. I think anyone who composes can understand how the written arrangements of notes can convey moods and colors that will translate into sounds that convey the same to both the performer and the listener.
The first Beethoven Sonata, in F-Minor is not opus 1, but "opus 2 #1"; Beethoven's "opus 2" consists of 3 separate sonatas forming a set. For those interested in Beethoven's evolving style as expressed in such 3-unit groupings, check out the 3-unit sets Opus 2, Opus 10, Opus 31, and the final group (op.109-110-111) which, although having separate opus numbers, similarly for a discrete, unified set. I consider it worth mentioning that most people, including Beethoven himself, consider op. 106 ("Hammerklavier") his most towering (certainly his most "epic") achievement in the genre. And if you're relatively new to Beethoven sonatas, probably the most quintessentially "Beethovenian" one (you might called it the "5th Symphony" of the Beethoven Sonatas) is opus 57, the "Appassionata" (for most afficiandos the "gateway drug" that will hook you, but leading you to probe more towards other works; for me, especially worth mentioning is a work I consider Beethoven's in some ways most poetically comprehensive personal declaration of his overall musical outlook and worldview: op. 28 in D-Major, often called the "Pastoral." D-Major is the most resplendant, spiritually glorious chord and tonality, used by most composers to convey either "Heavenly joy/bliss" (the LVB 9th Symphony "Ode to Joy" maybe the best illustration; the symphony converts the ultimate "spiritual gravity/gravitas" key of D-minor to its pure joy counterpart. So Beethoven's op. 28, "pastoral" (and nature-embracing) is in this ultimately joyous key of D-Major. BUT IS IT??? This brings out the Beethoven paradox perhaps better than any other of his works: It is "officially" in D-Major, but it is (mostly) among his very darkest works. It turns out that in 90% of this sonata, it is in D-Major, but only indirectly, allusively so. It dwells on all the chords attached to D-Major, without ever settling there until the very end (or at the end of a movement, especially I, but not with resounding finality until the real end of the sonata as a whole). This intention/effect is established at the outset by emphasizing C-natural (instead of C-sharp, the essential leading tone of D-Major), pushing the harmony toward G-Major (to me the key of physical nature, including its pleasant geniality when free of conflict, yet with an undercurrent of implying the inevitability of death, symbolized by b-natural, b-minor) in the very first phrase. So while officially in "D-Major" - a key symbolizing eternal * spiritual* life and ultimate joy beyond the trouble, turmoil and conflict of the natural, physical world, most of this sonata is actually focused on D-Major's darker partners: B-minor (death), G-major (transient, but often quite pleasant, genial physical/natural life), and d-Minor (key/tonality representing spiritual life, but the "gravity" aspect including moral judgement); only at the very end, after cycling through all the stages of darkness, physical nature, and d-minor's spiritual gravity, do we get the pure spiritual affirmation of D-major (op. 106, in B-Flat major also treats these tonalities -D Major, G-Major, and B-minor extremely similarly; far less emphasis on d-minor though). LVB makes this very explicit in the final movement by presenting this cycling through the other, darker tonalities in much more explicit, concentrated form, by a series of double-handed upward-climbing arpeggios, each one washing over the other to convey the ultimate progression toward D-Major, which can only be truly enjoyed after passing through the cleansing fire of the other chords. It's a;; fairly explicit. In my view, W. Kempff (especially his final DG stereo recording; but in the other versions too) conveys this poetry far better than any other pianist.
Final point: although I absolutely agree Barenboim ("Barenboim," btw, not "Barenbaum") and Argerich are truly outstanding musicians, there is a lot to debate as to who the most towering classical pianists are (or who have been). For Beethoven, I would say my favorites are probably Kempff, Schnabel, Annie Fischer (whom Albert Schweitzer admired enough to dedicate a major philosophical book to), and Claudio Arrau. But I would probably include Barenboim and Ashkenazy (saw him play op. 110 live once); and for German music generally Murray Perahia is pretty towering. It's a very big tent and they all have great things to say. And some will say Solomon (Kutner). To a degree, it is a matter of taste. Wonderful as Barenboim and Argerich are, it is far from a mainstream (let alone consensus) opinion that there to are the stand-alone best interpreters of classical piano repertoire, Beethoven in particular. To me, Argerich is a little too much 19th-century slavic-romantic in her approach, with Latin-fire and sensuality inflection, to be really representative of the tradition as a whole. She can truly play anything, and play it superbly, but some of the classicism in "Janus-faced" composers like Beethoven and Chopin gets somewhat short shrift in her playing, which is why she's not particularly associated with Bach (baroque of course, so that makes him even beyond-classical in "rational-ethereal"). Finding the pianist one most connects with will be a matter of taste. But I consider Kempff the most resonant with the Beethoven idiom, he kind of personifies German cultural-artistic idealism and romanticism, but possibly - and hopefully not, and it does get debated A LOT, without the negative baggage this entails.... and EDWIN FISCHER must be included in the same conversation.
Beethoven couldn't hear the music, but he could still feel the vibrations through his body.
Also, he didn't start going deaf until he was about 27
@@alanserjeant4947 he published his first sonata when he was 25
What’s funny, is that I practice guitar by listening to my favorite bands/songs with over the ear headphones on; and I can tell by the way the strings vibrate on my fingertips if I’m hitting the note or not. Same if I’m playing with the guitar pressed against my chest, I can feel the vibrations. It’s very cool.
I can't listen to Beethoven! I run out of tears it's so beautiful. Incredible composer!
I hope you are taking that emotional depth and playing an instrument, or better yet composing :)
@@youtubeepicuser4209 yes. Drums. 😃
@@rmcellig hell yea
While Beethoven could not hear the final orchestrated versions of his symphonies, he was able to hear each part on his piano, by placing one end of a stick against his temple, and the other end on the piano. His hearing loss was conductive, and the stick to the temple allowed him to bypass his damaged middle ear to reach his functioning inner ear. I also have conductive hearing loss, and use a bone-anchored hearing aid and use bone-conduction headphones. Paul Stanley of KISS was born with Microtia, a condition causing an unformed ear on his right side. He also uses a bone-anchored hearing aid on that side, and has had reconstructive surgery to create the outer ear. His right ear is what prompted him to grow his hair long as a kid.
I adore Beethoven. Cannot imagine my life without him. I’m on a mission to spread the word. I took my wife and 2 dear friends to the Royal Albert Hall last month. The programme? 5th Piano Concerto followed by the glorious 9th Symphony. Hard to express what I felt about it. …. Life affirming is the best I have. Words are inadequate
Small correction: Beethovens Birthday on which he himself agreed was on the 16. Dezember 1770. Thus he was a Saggitarius and not Scorpion as 15. 11. would imply. Beethovens way as a great composer started at a very good level in 1995 and ended with his late style in which he was touching musical landscapes that were unknown before. For the rest of the 19. century composers tried to conquer those realms that he had discovered. As long as we are not replaced by AI he will remain one of the greatest humans ever to live.
Opus 110 is easily my favourite late Beethoven piano sonata. Not because it is the greatest - but because it is the most accessible. That is: I can play it! Always a delight, always profound, always forever.
I’m going to print it out & start learning it!
@@bethl I hope you enjoy it - learning it was part of the pleasure for me.
My favourite is opus 111 but they say the diabelli variations is the greatest work even written for the piano.
@@neilf6782 I can't fault your love of Opus 111 - the last movement seems to me a perfect vision of heaven and sublimity. As to the Diabelli variations - I have huge admiration for them - but not the same love. Being the 'greatest' is an interesting choice of word - as it does not necessarily mean the best - but often refers to scale/size/breadth of conception - and this version of the word does fit the Diabelli variations quite well.
Gould's Beethoven 31 is surprisingly moving - if you have not given it a listen then you should try! Love the ventures into classical and jazz - never stop them!
I have music playing in my head pretty much all the time, often pieces that only exist in my head. I don't know how common that is, but the fact that he brought the music in his head to the world without actually being able to hear the final product is really cool and doesn't seem too crazy to me. If music is a language, he was extremely fluent.
I hope you write down the pieces that only exist in your head as they come to you, cause that’s most of how composing works.
Rick, you should contact Donald McLeod of BBC radio 3 in the UK, you and he could make some super radio. Another lovely show, Beethoven had a lot of problems on the romance front, maybe he was coming to terms with this in these pieces.
One of my favourite channels, thankyou!
👋
Darren
Its great how timeless music can be...lately i listen to alot of classical music and somehow decided its time to listen to Wagner Ring des Nibelungen.. Just like before with bach and beethoven i was in awe, even more so after i finished the ring cycle....i needed an hour of silence and being alone to grasp what masterwork of the human intellect i was gifted to experiece. Soltis Ring brought me to Furtwänglers, which in return made me find his Beethoven recordings. Divine works of humanity!
The closest thing we have in modern rock music is Kerry Livgren, who cannot read or write musical notation & never took music lessons. He started listening to classical music as a toddler & his great aunt told him all about the lives of the Great composers, like Beethoven. He would write classically based prog rock in his head, then taught the various parts to his bandmates. What an amazing composer, orchestrator, lyricist, & multi-instrumentalist. No wonder he is known as "the Maestro."
My grandma was completely stone deaf, yet she played the piano beautifully. I asked her, as a young naive child, how she could do this, and s.he explained that she could feel/sense the vibrations of the hammers on the keys and she could 'imagine' the sound. This absolutely blew me away, as her playing was impeccable
Hey Rick, my nick is Rick as well! =D My Dad loved Beethoven Sonatas and showed me them when I was a little kid, I grew up loving Beethoven´s music so much! There was a guy from Chile, Claudio Arrau, that recorded the 32 sonatas as well and in my opinion he did the best Pathetique and Moonlight Sonata versions I ever heard, so much passion and timing....also the way the piano resonates the chords, the tone is marvelous !
Do you like his versions as well::
Love your channel and the subjects you bring to the table.
I´m a Rock/Blues artist from Brazil, i´m recording my second album and a single called ´´Cut your hair´´is out ! , if you wanna take a listen, I would be very thankful !! Ricardo Maranhao - Cut your hair
All the best Rick!
The fact that Bethoven was deaf at the end of his 'career' always astounded me. One thing that you brought to my attention was that when the Beatles broke up, was that they were all in their 20's! I cant even imagine having been that talented as a musician to write or play music that great at such an age. Even a band like Rush - where you find three or four people (Beatles) from the same city/area that can write so much great music, classic music - just over and over and over. If I had even some of that talent, I think it would take a world search to get to even some level of success just to work on the road crew.
No one has ever known the cause of Beethoven's deafness. It's important to know that, when his hearing was failing, he went to the country in the Bavarian forest to try and recover. His hearing actually improved, enough to hear the troubadours and minstrels play the folk songs of the region. He used some of the melodies to compose my favourite symphony, No. 6, The Pastorale. Eventually though, he was reduced to having the legs on his piano removed and lying on the floor to "hear" the vibrations in the floor. What a tragic life. He never heard his 9th Symphony.