I'm so glad I discovered your channel!! I've been listening to classical music for about 50 years, I majored in music and now make my living arranging orchestral music for a highly qualified military concert band, and I find myself learning new things from your videos. The Beethoven 4th has long been my favorite of the nine. Yes, I just said that. The 4th is my favorite.
Though I have loved Beethoven’s symphonies ever since I fell in love with classical music, these quick guides to his symphonies make me fall in love with them even more! I cannot wait until your quick guide to his 5th Symphony, which is one of my favourites!
Thank you for you videos, i really love those quick guides because it helps me to understand and enjoy the music even more since i am new to really listen to classical music. Greetings from Germany!
I'm so glad you've brought the quick guides back. I'm excited to see where you go for them after Beethoven. Also I hope you plan to do one for Beethoven 7; it's my favorite of his.
Inside the Score nice! I just listened to the Brahms symphony 1 recently, and I gotta say wow!! That opening theme has been stuck in my head beautifully haha I keep coming back to listen to the symphony again
these short videos are a lot nicer i think. its not so overwhelming to watch. also historical context and trivia is cool, so no need to keep it so short like in this video.
This analysis is such a slender and gracious Grecian maiden! Even though Beethoven's symphonies have all the attention they deserve, I feel it's not really the case for this one, alongside with the 2nd and especially the 8th.
Personally I especially like intorduction to first movement (it is so unexpected - you see ,,Symphony in B flat major" but hear something so gloomy and dark, definitely not similar to music from classical period ) and second movement - rythm from the beginning always reminded me of heartbeat . Great video ! Keep going !
This symphony benefits greatly from a lean orchestral texture and period instruments work quite well. I love the Gardiner recording, but Ansermet's old Decca recording also presents the music in a very transparent manner. His approach to attacks and sustaining a lean string sound with little vibrato pretty much foreshadows the entire period instrument movement regarding the Classical period.
Just found your channel a few hours ago. Now cut to current me, on a binging spree lolol! Love your content, incredibly informative and helps people like me who aren't well-versed with music but just love learning and listening to it understand a lot:) keep up the good work
Personally, I find the second movement a bit basic and cliché, but that's just me. I do believe this symphony is underrated though, as all even-numbered Beethoven symphonies are. The 8th is absolutely incredible, especially the 4th movement.
These score analyses are awesome! Thanks a bunch. 0:58 - That’s curious: While I do agree that, on the whole, Beethoven’s odd-numbered symphonies are more … dramatic … than his even-numbered symphonies, I do not perceive that to be the case for his 1st vs. his 2nd. Maybe it’s just me, but I perceive his 1st to be the most Haydn/Mozart-Classical-like. The 2nd strikes (perhaps in more ways than one) me to have more dramatic punch than the 1st. So I at least perceive the 1st through 3rd to be more or less a gradual progression away from Classical, and toward Romantic, sensibilities. As an aside, I perceive his 1st and 8th to be the most underrated, in terms of being able to resonate with audiences, especially their second movements.
Incredibly well said. Beethoven really made use of the winds in this one. I would absolutely be grateful if you did the beathoven's sonatas especially sonata 8.
This is a great symphony; sadly one I haven't played yet. The Scherzo of the 5th is in the same form, but because of a misprint in one of the editions, the 5th became ABA' instead of ABABA', like Op. 59/2 quartet, Op. 69 cello sonata, 7th symphony, and a ton of other pieces that employ this form.
The introduction reminds of Virgil and Dante at the gates of Hell, 'lasciate ogni esperanza voi ch'entrate'. It is the most somber of all of Beethoven's symphonic music.The Adagio after the first movement, the episode of Paolo and Francesca, like Berlioz once said.
I was watching your recent video on Les Mes and you mentioned you don't like musicals. I highly recommend you listen to Come From Away. It has a lot of the same ideas and concepts of unity that you mentioned Les Mes had.
I would love if you make one about Shostakovich symphony no.11 . I love it but it's always more enjoyable if you have some insightful ideas about the score and form.
I have heard of this as basically being in the same vein as his fifth symphony, composed when he already had a lot of his fifth symphony written out and using the same descending thirds in similar, but different ways(different on the surface, similar underneath the surface), including diminished arpeggios in both symphonies.
@@owlcowl I've heard that Beethoven even favored it over the Ninth, but I've never seen any confirmation of the sorts. Do you know anything about that?
This is rapidly becoming one of my favorite Beethoven symphonies. The descending major thirds at the start of the introduction remind me of the beginning of Mahler’s First symphony (they are the same, I think). One of my favorite performances is the Scottish Chamber Orchestra, Charles Mackerras conducting.
I recommend you to listen not only to Karajan's recordings but also to Solti's. They are magnificent and I listen to them for all except for the 9th, Bernstein's is nicer in my opinion.
Atleast this is a peaceful synphony because the 5th symphony……it scares me to death infact the 5th symphony video was the only one I didn’t even watch.
I really enjoy your musical guides, especially the Beethoven Symphonies are in my opinion the greatest works in music history. But I personally think that your excerpts of music are way too short. I know that we listeners should explore the pieces on our own but the heavenly beautiful and astounishing moments of the Symphonies doesn‘t catch the listeners interest very much because they are interrupted immediatly. I hope that I dont offend you with that statement
JOHANNES BRAHMS (1896): "I always find Beethoven's C Minor concerto (the Third Piano Concerto) much smaller and weaker than Mozart's. . . . I realize that Beethoven's new personality and his new vision, which people recognized in his works, made him the greater composer in their minds. But after fifty years, our views need more perspective. One must be able to distinguish between the charm that comes from newness and the value that is intrinsic to a work. I admit that Beethoven's concerto is more modern, but not more significant!I also realize that Beethoven's First Symphony made a strong impression on people. That's the nature of a new vision. But the last three Mozart symphonies are far more significant. . . . Yes, the Rasumovsky quartets, the later symphonies-these inhabit a significant new world, one already hinted at in his Second Symphony. But what is much weaker in Beethoven compared to Mozart, and especially compared to Sebastian Bach, is the use of dissonance. Dissonance, true dissonance as Mozart used it, is not to be found in Beethoven. Look at Idomeneo. Not only is it a marvel, but as Mozart was still quite young and brash when he wrote it, it was a completely new thing. What marvelous dissonance! What harmony! You couldn't commission great music from Beethoven since he created only lesser works on commission-his more conventional pieces, his variations and the like. When Haydn or Mozart wrote on commission, it was the same as their other works." books.google.ca/books?id=7iwZ-qTuSkUC&pg=PA134#v=onepage&q&f=false books.google.ca/books?id=7iwZ-qTuSkUC&pg=PA135#v=onepage&q&f=false
You are wrong :) It's one of my favorites. Well, almost all of his Symphonies are ;) But 8th and I have a special connection. I first heard it in a live concert (rather than on a cassette) so still after all those years, whenever I listen to it, it invokes a certain feeling I don't get from the other pieces :)
Underrated channel, amazing analysis of great music, artists and composers, I can appreciate the music even more
4:08 thanks for not spoiling a 200 year old symphony, I appreciate it
If it's still new for you, then there's still a chance to spoil it
@@roberacevedo8232
thats true, but that doesnt make his comment any less funny Mr. Partypooper xD
The 4th is a criminally underrated symphony, that overflows with invention & lovely themes: a slender Grecian maiden, indeed!
I'm so glad I discovered your channel!! I've been listening to classical music for about 50 years, I majored in music and now make my living arranging orchestral music for a highly qualified military concert band, and I find myself learning new things from your videos. The Beethoven 4th has long been my favorite of the nine. Yes, I just said that. The 4th is my favorite.
Great, easy to understand, guides to Beethoven's symphonies. I look forward to the next one!
I bet everyone is 🙌🙌🙌
Though I have loved Beethoven’s symphonies ever since I fell in love with classical music, these quick guides to his symphonies make me fall in love with them even more! I cannot wait until your quick guide to his 5th Symphony, which is one of my favourites!
I remember the first piece of classical music I heard which was first movement of Eroica and since then I fell in love with his music
He already covered the 5th
ruclips.net/video/Nga3AvxI9YA/видео.html
I love these Quick Guides to my Symphonies!
@Jdrocco Why should he be? The Maestro has had much more important things to do that comment on RUclips videos! ;-D
One of my favorite parts of this symphony is the transition between the slow introduction to the allegro vivace in the first movement.
Hello there! Thanks for bringing back your quick guides!!!! Happy to watch them and listen to them again! :)
I love Beethoven, but have no musical education, so thank you for really helping me to understand the music better.
Thank you for you videos, i really love those quick guides because it helps me to understand and enjoy the music even more since i am new to really listen to classical music. Greetings from Germany!
Ashamed to say, I've not yet listened to this one somehow... Thanks for inspiring me to! Also, love all your brilliant breakdowns!
Underrated masterpiece
I'm so glad you've brought the quick guides back. I'm excited to see where you go for them after Beethoven. Also I hope you plan to do one for Beethoven 7; it's my favorite of his.
I really like Beethovens Symphonys and I like Schumanns even more. Are you considering a Quick Guide for his works too?
Eventually - lots to cover
*Symphonies
Amazing! Thank you for this. Would be incredible if you did all of his symphonies!!
I plan to. And then Brahms
Inside the Score nice! I just listened to the Brahms symphony 1 recently, and I gotta say wow!! That opening theme has been stuck in my head beautifully haha I keep coming back to listen to the symphony again
I'm really getting into Classic just because of these. Thank you
Great symphony, and easier on the ears than the 3rd or 5th.
I don’t usually subscribe to channels, but after watching this video I did. Now I have to watch your other videos. I love your passion for music!
Ah, nice timing. I was just analyzing this piece. Love that V = aug6th cadence, a real stroke of genius.
these short videos are a lot nicer i think. its not so overwhelming to watch. also historical context and trivia is cool, so no need to keep it so short like in this video.
so you prefer the short ones or not?
@Jdrocco oohh 😂😂
I appreciate the fact that _Herr von Beethoven_ had always in mind keeping his best material for himself.
"But then, in a stroke of genius that I won't spoil here..."
Damn, now I need to listen to the symphony immediately!
This analysis is such a slender and gracious Grecian maiden!
Even though Beethoven's symphonies have all the attention they deserve, I feel it's not really the case for this one, alongside with the 2nd and especially the 8th.
Personally I especially like intorduction to first movement (it is so unexpected - you see ,,Symphony in B flat major" but hear something so gloomy and dark, definitely not similar to music from classical period ) and second movement - rythm from the beginning always reminded me of heartbeat . Great video ! Keep going !
This symphony benefits greatly from a lean orchestral texture and period instruments work quite well. I love the Gardiner recording, but Ansermet's old Decca recording also presents the music in a very transparent manner. His approach to attacks and sustaining a lean string sound with little vibrato pretty much foreshadows the entire period instrument movement regarding the Classical period.
Symphony suggestion: Strauss Alpine Symphony
Yes please! I played Wagner Tuba on this wonderful piece.. The last 5-10 min are so beautiful.. I nearly cried during the performance :D
Your channel always has the best content
Just found your channel a few hours ago. Now cut to current me, on a binging spree lolol! Love your content, incredibly informative and helps people like me who aren't well-versed with music but just love learning and listening to it understand a lot:) keep up the good work
I just love hearing your analysis of classical music. Keep on the great work!
I saw Karajan and the BPO perform this symphony at the Royal Festival Hall in 1985 followed by Ein Heldenleben. The greatest concert of my life.
Great job! Are you doing the entire Beethoven cycle?
Wonderful dark intro, best second movement, beautiful third, great finale. My second favorite after the fifth.
Personally, I find the second movement a bit basic and cliché, but that's just me. I do believe this symphony is underrated though, as all even-numbered Beethoven symphonies are. The 8th is absolutely incredible, especially the 4th movement.
These score analyses are awesome! Thanks a bunch.
0:58 - That’s curious: While I do agree that, on the whole, Beethoven’s odd-numbered symphonies are more … dramatic … than his even-numbered symphonies, I do not perceive that to be the case for his 1st vs. his 2nd.
Maybe it’s just me, but I perceive his 1st to be the most Haydn/Mozart-Classical-like. The 2nd strikes (perhaps in more ways than one) me to have more dramatic punch than the 1st.
So I at least perceive the 1st through 3rd to be more or less a gradual progression away from Classical, and toward Romantic, sensibilities.
As an aside, I perceive his 1st and 8th to be the most underrated, in terms of being able to resonate with audiences, especially their second movements.
Incredibly well said. Beethoven really made use of the winds in this one.
I would absolutely be grateful if you did the beathoven's sonatas especially sonata 8.
This is a great symphony; sadly one I haven't played yet. The Scherzo of the 5th is in the same form, but because of a misprint in one of the editions, the 5th became ABA' instead of ABABA', like Op. 59/2 quartet, Op. 69 cello sonata, 7th symphony, and a ton of other pieces that employ this form.
Great video! I’ve found myself hearing more intently to these compositions having seen your great analysis. Thank you!
The introduction reminds of Virgil and Dante at the gates of Hell, 'lasciate ogni esperanza voi ch'entrate'. It is the most somber of all of Beethoven's symphonic music.The Adagio after the first movement, the episode of Paolo and Francesca, like Berlioz once said.
I was watching your recent video on Les Mes and you mentioned you don't like musicals. I highly recommend you listen to Come From Away. It has a lot of the same ideas and concepts of unity that you mentioned Les Mes had.
"Private orchestra". It would be my dream!
I would love if you make one about Shostakovich symphony no.11 . I love it but it's always more enjoyable if you have some insightful ideas about the score and form.
I have heard of this as basically being in the same vein as his fifth symphony, composed when he already had a lot of his fifth symphony written out and using the same descending thirds in similar, but different ways(different on the surface, similar underneath the surface), including diminished arpeggios in both symphonies.
Thanks so much.
“I'm not interested in having an orchestra sound like itself. I want it to sound like the composer.”
― Leonard Bernstein
Can't wait for his Eighth Symphony, mine and his (allegedly) favorite
Exactly. Stravinsky's favorite also. As Beethoven himself averred: "It is better than the Seventh."
@@owlcowl I've heard that Beethoven even favored it over the Ninth, but I've never seen any confirmation of the sorts. Do you know anything about that?
That was a fast analysis! Thanks.
My introduction to Beethoven's symphonies, by a noted professor at a famous university, was a dismal experience. Wish you had been our teacher!
Please do one on beethoven's 9th. all its movements are amazing and iconic.
This is rapidly becoming one of my favorite Beethoven symphonies. The descending major thirds at the start of the introduction remind me of the beginning of Mahler’s First symphony (they are the same, I think). One of my favorite performances is the Scottish Chamber Orchestra, Charles Mackerras conducting.
My favorite is the Orchestre Révolutionnaire et Romantique.
I think it’s the 4th best Beethoven symphonies
I had a strong feeling of wanting to hear this symhony for the 99999th time
Merci beaucoup.
I want Bruckner symphonies analysis. Thank you!
Short and precise - yet amazing analysis as always. I'd love one of Bruckners Symphonies (8 or 9) - maybe you could consider it :)
Make videos with other great composers like Debussy, Chopin and Liszt please.
I recommend you to listen not only to Karajan's recordings but also to Solti's. They are magnificent and I listen to them for all except for the 9th, Bernstein's is nicer in my opinion.
Try John Elliot Gardner.
Here's a paradox. I acknowledge the greatness of the 3rd, & 5th to 9th, yet I listen to the 4th more often.
For a good recording go with Gardner and the Orchestre Révolutionnaire et Romantique or the Hanover Band.
Isn't the slow introduction sounds like the opening of the 9th?
Please do his best symphony the 8th!! XD
I always thought the powers of 2 symphonies were less good than the others. I actually love all LvB symphonies except the 4th.
Video idea: What is a Scherzo?
An Englishman drinking a 100% "two leaves and a bud" Formosa Oolong with milk
which orchestra did you take music from? I’m curious. Actually, which orchestra played Beethoven best?
My favourite is the Orchestre Révolutionnaire et Romantique.
Can you do his 8th symphony?
Have you heard Benjamin Zander's recordings of the 5th, 7th, and 9th, that a meticulous at following Beethoven's true metronome markings? Revelatory.
Beethoven: It's hip to B natural, not to be square.
:36 Kinda like the 2nd movement of the Moonlight Sonata
It should not go unmentioned that the opening to Mahler's first is an almost exact copy of this symphony's.
Let’s go harnoncourt. Best Beethoven 1,2,4,6,7,8
Atleast this is a peaceful synphony because the 5th symphony……it scares me to death infact the 5th symphony video was the only one I didn’t even watch.
👏
I really enjoy your musical guides, especially the Beethoven Symphonies are in my opinion the greatest works in music history. But I personally think that your excerpts of music are way too short. I know that we listeners should explore the pieces on our own but the heavenly beautiful and astounishing moments of the Symphonies doesn‘t catch the listeners interest very much because they are interrupted immediatly.
I hope that I dont offend you with that statement
Might be because of copyright.
JOHANNES BRAHMS (1896): "I always find Beethoven's C Minor concerto (the Third Piano Concerto) much smaller and weaker than Mozart's. . . . I realize that Beethoven's new personality and his new vision, which people recognized in his works, made him the greater composer in their minds. But after fifty years, our views need more perspective. One must be able to distinguish between the charm that comes from newness and the value that is intrinsic to a work. I admit that Beethoven's concerto is more modern, but not more significant!I also realize that Beethoven's First Symphony made a strong impression on people. That's the nature of a new vision. But the last three Mozart symphonies are far more significant. . . . Yes, the Rasumovsky quartets, the later symphonies-these inhabit a significant new world, one already hinted at in his Second Symphony. But what is much weaker in Beethoven compared to Mozart, and especially compared to Sebastian Bach, is the use of dissonance. Dissonance, true dissonance as Mozart used it, is not to be found in Beethoven. Look at Idomeneo. Not only is it a marvel, but as Mozart was still quite young and brash when he wrote it, it was a completely new thing. What marvelous dissonance! What harmony! You couldn't commission great music from Beethoven since he created only lesser works on commission-his more conventional pieces, his variations and the like. When Haydn or Mozart wrote on commission, it was the same as their other works."
books.google.ca/books?id=7iwZ-qTuSkUC&pg=PA134#v=onepage&q&f=false
books.google.ca/books?id=7iwZ-qTuSkUC&pg=PA135#v=onepage&q&f=false
I think no one cares about Beethoven's 8th symphony...
OK it's not the monumental 9th symphony, but it's still a great symphony by Beethoven, imho
@@clavichord yeah I know
It's his wittiest if done well - can be very funny in a good way
You are wrong :) It's one of my favorites. Well, almost all of his Symphonies are ;) But 8th and I have a special connection. I first heard it in a live concert (rather than on a cassette) so still after all those years, whenever I listen to it, it invokes a certain feeling I don't get from the other pieces :)
4 & 8 are without question my least favorites of his symphonies
My least favorite of Beethoven’s Symphonies along with No. 8.
Jdrocco I think 3, 5, 6, & 7 are without a doubt his best symphonies.